EMERSON BRIDGE PROSPECTS ARE LOOKING BETTER

Completion of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge across the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is targeted for 2003. The opening of the new bridge can't come too soon for motorists who regularly cross back and forth from Illinois and Missouri.

That point is currently being underscored by the daily closing of one lane on the old two-lane bridge, which means delays while highway crews make repairs to the aging structure.

There is some good news about the Emerson Bridge project, which has been under way for three years already. For example, bedrock repairs in the middle of the river where one of the main piers will be built are expected to be finished in February. Seams in the bedrock were discovered after the original contract was let. Ultimately, Flatiron Structures Co. and the Missouri Department of Transportation dissolved their contract in 1997. Work to fill those seams has been slow.

Meanwhile, construction crews have been busy on the Illinois side of the river where 11 smaller piers are being built for the bridge approach from that side. That work is expected to be done by next June.

MoDOT expects to open bids for the rest of the bridge four main piers, cable-supported span, bridge deck and lighting next February. If there is a satisfactory bid, the contract would be awarded in March, and work on the main part of the bridge would resume in May. This would include completion of one of the main piers on the Missouri shore, which eventually will be 180 feet high.

It appears MoDOT is taking every precaution to make sure the new contractor is capable of completing the job. Only companies with experience building cable-stay bridges on the Mississippi, Missouri or Ohio rivers will be considered.

Much of the bridge access on the Missouri side is completed. A four-lane segment of highway from Sprigg Street to I-55 is already being used. The roadbed for the portion from Sprigg to the bridge has been prepared, but the road itself must still be constructed.

In addition to the inconvenience of the existing bridge even when both lanes are open there are other projects that are on hold as a result of the bridge delays. Connections to city streets in the area of the proposed River Campus must be decided. Traffic flows on existing major thoroughfares is certainly going to change once the bridge and its access routes are finished. And with increased traffic along the access routes, development is likely to occur along the route.

There are still unforeseen factors that could further delay the bridge. But for now the prospect appears to be getting brighter.