Bridge prospects

The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge across the Mississippi River is likely to mean good things for Southern Illinois.

Since the bridge opened last month, the business climate has already improved based on a couple of business barometers: Margie's, the restaurant in East Cape Girardeau, has seen three times more diners than before the bridge opened. More customers have also made their way to Karpet Korner across Highway 146.

The bridge improves safety for motorists going to and from Cape Girardeau and Southern Illinois. And it is capable of handling a much higher volume of traffic. More than 14,000 vehicles a day used the old bridge, and the new bridge is already attracting additional traffic. The Missouri Department of Transportation predicts that by 2015 there will be 26,000 vehicles a day using the new bridge.

East Cape Girardeau stands to be one of the largest beneficiaries of the new bridge, thanks to its proximity to its larger sister city to the west. East Cape Girardeau is in a flood plain which has deterred development. But the promise of improved business may help motivate entrepreneurs to find innovative ways to locate there anyway.

All of Southern Illinois stands to benefit. A recent study suggested Southern Illinois already has much to offer in the way of business development.

The new study is aimed at pitching the region to businesses looking to relocate or expand. The study lists several industries that are expected to experience growth in the future on the national level, and any transportation improvements, like the new bridge, will help lure those kinds of businesses to the area.

Another potential factor is the Interstate 66 proposal, which backers in this area would like to see come through Southern Illinois across the new bridge.