BRIDGE WORK: MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN

The news was disappointing. Cape Girardeau must wait even longer for a new Mississippi River Bridge. The Missouri Department of Transportation last week terminated its $50.8 million contract with the bridge builder, Flatiron Structures Co. of Longmont, Colo.

It was the first time the state had terminated such a large contract. It has left many area residents wondering where and when it all went wrong.

About 25 percent of the project had been paid for -- but some of that was for materials ordered but not yet used. Only about 10 percent of the bridge work has actually be completed since it began in September 1996.

The Missouri Highway Department has received a mixture of praise and criticism from those close to the project -- praise for terminating the contract, criticism for waiting so long.

A major problem became evident last July. Mud seams were discovered in supposedly solid bedrock beneath the river, a severe problem not found by earlier test borings. The highway department is reviewing whether its boring requirements are adequate. That's probably a good idea, as there are questions why this wasn't uncovered much earlier.

All parties agree that what has been built so far is safe. The state has had full-time inspectors on site. Perhaps because of problems between the state and the contractor, this project was better documented than most. But don't be surprised if the legal fallout from this dispute takes years to resolve.

Government works at its own pace, and rebidding the project will take time. The state wants to use jet grouting to fill the mud seams with cement-like material. That bid could be let as early as March. But it may be early fall of next year before the bridge contract is rebid.

It also makes one wonder about the whole bidding process. By law, the state must accept the low bidder. But is the lowest bid always the best one?

Cape Girardeau's milestone project will simply have to wait a little longer. The completion date has been pushed back a year to 2002. It is good to know that the delay won't undercut federal funding.

If nothing else, this experience should prove a stern and expensive lesson for all parties involved, providing information that can be addressed in future state projects.

And that is the way it should be. Sometimes people -- and government -- can learn much more from tough, painful lessons. Chalk this up as one heck of a learning experience.