'WIDER IS BETTER,' SAYS ENGINEER; ROUNDABOUT WIDENING AIMED AT SATISFYING UNHAPPY DRIVERS

Motorists detoured through the St. Francis Medical Center parking lot on Monday as work began to widen Cape Girardeau's only roundabout to make navigation easier.

Workers from Lappe Cement Finishing of Perryville, Mo., actually began working on the controversial intersection of Gordonville and Silver Springs roads Friday. But it wasn't until Monday that the roundabout was closed to traffic with orange cones erected to fence off the area.

The work could take four weeks, although city engineer Mark Lester said the work might be completed in 2 1/2 weeks, depending on the weather.

Improvements include removal and replacement of existing curbs and expanding the width of the pavement by 2 feet -- from 16 feet to 18 feet -- and sawing 2 feet off the concrete traffic islands leading into the roundabout.

"Wider is better," said Lester, who added he would be glad when the project is completed.

Lappe Cement Finishing built the roundabout, which sparked criticism from unhappy motorists and several councilmen when it opened in February. They said the roadway was too narrow.

The controversy led city officials to delay opening a new stretch of Silver Springs Road extending from William Street north to the hilltop roundabout. That stretch still hasn't opened and won't until the roundabout work is done, Lester said.

The work, which is being done as a change order to the original contract, could cost up to $10,000, Lester said. City officials are negotiating with the contractor and haven't settled on a price yet.

Lester approved the original design of the roundabout and later defended his action, insisting the roundabout was large enough to handle traffic safely.

On Monday, a sign was erected on Gordonville Road east of the roundabout to advise motorists to detour over Edgewood.

Some motorists simply wound their way through St. Francis Medical Center's parking lot to bypass the roundabout.

The hospital staff is taking the detour in stride. "It is only a temporary measure," said Rick Hetzel, director of public relations at the medical center. "We have had detours before."

Hetzel said the added traffic shouldn't pose a problem. The hospital has notified area ambulance services that the roundabout is closed temporarily.