CITY ENTRANCES WOULD BENEFIT FROM LIGHTING

Cape Girardeau's narrow Mississippi River bridge can be dangerous, especially with lack of lighting on the Illinois entrance. Only one of eight lights burn on the west ramp of the bridge.

At night, Cape Girardeau's four attractive welcome signs are also darkened.

The Missouri Highway Department has no plans to maintain the bridge lights. They light few, if any, new bridges. But officials said they'd welcome a private effort to restore bridge lighting.

The cost of repairing the lights could run $14,000. The department considers these lights mostly decoration, although they may aid in safety. If bridge replacement plans proceed on schedule, this old bridge may be rendered useless in five years or so.

The city entrance signs may be another matter. Lighting these signs would not only be less expensive, but would provide long-term benefit.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Beautification Committee is studying the possibilities of lighting the welcome signs, along with Vision 2000. One local estimate puts the cost at around $1,100 per sign.

Perhaps a community drive could pay the costs of lighting these welcome signs. The Southeast Missourian offers to kick in the first $500. Well-lit city signs would provide a cheery welcome to visitors at any time of day.