A bridge to safety: Reliable river crossing is goal

BY Michael G. Marshall

Late last summer, the citizens of Minneapolis suffered a horrific tragedy as a result of a bridge failure. Soon after, the city of Sikeston and representatives from the surrounding area began researching the conditions of the bridges at Cairo, Ill., and Wickliffe, Ky.

Information obtained from the highway departments of states bordering the Mississippi River indicated that the Missouri-to-Illinois bridge on U.S. 60 at Cairo to have the lowest sufficiency rating on any bridge along the Mississippi. This bridge was constructed in the same time period as the old Cape Girardeau bridge that was replaced a few years ago.

Upon compiling this information, I called for a bridge summit to bring together citizens who were interested in working toward providing a safer bridge. Elected officials from Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois were invited to attend, as were the staffs of the Missouri Department of Transportation and their counterparts in the Kentucky Transportation Department. Nearly 125 citizens attended this meeting to express support toward developing a plan of action to replace the bridge.

As a result of this overwhelming support, I presented this information to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission at its December meeting in Poplar Bluff and asked MoDOT to take a proactive role in assisting in this project. Additionally, I have met with U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and asked her support in advancing the idea of a new bridge into Kentucky. To date, everyone I have met with has indicated support for the concept and have asked that we keep them posted on this grassroots effort to replace the bridge.

The sole purpose of our meetings has been to replace this bridge. I have never mentioned I-66 in any of our meetings. Quite frankly, I cannot recall I-66 being mentioned by anyone from the floor as part of the discussion. I am confused to some degree where the connection between safe travel across the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in the 21st century and a long-talked-about discussion about an I-66 interstate dream have any connection.

What I'm trying to bring about is an answer to a looming crisis with a bridge that exceeds the deterioration of the Minnesota bridge as opposed to a discussion that a few single-minded individuals in Cape Girardeau want to pursue. If a major interstate project were to become a viable opportunity, which has not occurred in almost 20 years, we would certainly like to be a part of the discussion of how to best benefit the southern part of Missouri, a designation that Cape Girardeau has long shunned.

Any conversation about new highway construction is a wholly and completely different dialogue. Walt Wildman should stop his desperate grasp at assuming that every discussion regarding transportation infrastructure is tied to a failed -- to this point -- concept of a mystical interstate called I-66.

We need an immediate answer as to how to mediate the longstanding problem of getting across the Mississippi and Ohio rivers where we meet Illinois and Kentucky and opening up commerce and ensuring safety. That's what I am pursuing, and that's what Mr. Wildman and whomever is fueling his efforts don't understand.

Michael G. Marshall is the mayor of Sikeston, Mo.