Work begins to turn base of old Cape bridge into overlook

Construction is underway on the project to transform the base of Cape Girardeau's old Mississippi River bridge into a scenic overlook point. The project at the corner of Morgan Oak and Spanish streets will be completed May 7.

Construction crews were at work Friday pouring concrete footings to support a wall to be built beneath the base of the bridge.

After completion, the space below the bridge will be closed in and a decorative column will rise on both the north and south sides of the structure. An additional, smaller overlook terrace will be built extending toward Aquamsi Street.

The bridge portion is 100 by 25 feet, and the overlook terrace is 40 by 25 feet.

City engineering department construction inspector John Welch remembers the old bridge well and is taking photographs for an album documenting the bridge's transformation.

"I crossed over it many, many times," Welch said.

"You can see right there why it's so important," he said, gesturing to the painted insignia on the bridge's arch reading 1927, the year of the bridge's dedication. "I like to see something restored."

Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau director Chuck Martin said the overlook will be a fitting reincarnation for the historic bridge.

"It was dedicated in 1927 to finally link the states of Missouri and Illinois, and at the time it was just an incredible, monumental transportation piece to be able to bring those two states together," Martin said.

The bridge was demolished in 2004.

Martin also believes the structure combined with the soon-to-be completed River Campus Center for the Visual and Performing Arts will have a unifying effect on Cape Girardeau.

"When you look at that particular area and you see the completion of River Campus and when all the construction vehicles are gone and you have that wonderful green space and the vibrancy of students coming and going, it's one piece of the puzzle. But it's one great piece," he said.

Martin said there will be plaques on the overlook describing its history and a plaque in the park/pavilion area commemorating people who donated money to pay for the lighting of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

The total project cost is over $400,000, 80 percent of which is funded with a grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The remainder is being paid by the city.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245