GOOD WORK ON CITY STREET PROJECTS

Over the past few weeks, the Missourian has been running various stories/editorials/comments about the road construction going on in Cape Girardeau and the inconvenience motorists/students/visitors are experiencing due to the work being done.

The ad nauseam attacks culminating with the Aug. 29 editorial evidence a complete lack of understanding of the construction industry and as a result have been very demoralizing to the hardworking employees of the city and the companies the city hires to do the work.

First off, Harry Rediger was quoted in the paper about the number of projects going on at one time, the many detours people must take to get around town, the inconvenience and the possible effect these detours may have on a subsequent vote on a renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund sales tax. I respect Rediger highly, but his comments are off base.

Interestingly, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce transportation committee, about one and a half to two years ago, was highly critical of the city for not completing very many projects and wanted to be assured the projects under the Transportation Trust Fund would be completed on time. Rediger was a member of that committee, if my memory serves me correctly. At least the chamber committee met with city officials to air their concerns and get answers.

There are several projects going on at one time. When funding is secured for sewer projects, we bid them as soon as possible. Those projects take quite a bit of time. The contractor has a completion date in his contract and penalties if he doesn't complete the job on time. For the city to ask the contractor to stop work and not cross or close a street for several days or weeks would be unreasonable, possibly an interference with his contract, a disservice to his employees because they may not get paid for the time not working, and, finally, cost the city more to do the work because of delays and increased construction costs.

Slowing down the work by doing only one or two projects at a time, although the money is available and the projects are ready to bid, becomes costly, because delaying the bidding may result in higher prices for the job due to inflationary increases, other work contractors have already, etc. The roadwork/overlay projects are no different.

Joe Sullivan's halfhearted attempts at satire/criticism of the work around town and his nonsensical diatribe about hizzonner continue a theme of misunderstanding the nature of construction work and what the city can and cannot do to control the timing of it, short of not doing the work at all or doing it at a snail's pace and then facing the other side of critical thought: what's taking so long to do the projects.

The city employees and the various contractors and their construction workers are doing a tremendous job in completing the various projects that have been bid out. The work is being completed on time and, in several instances, ahead of time. The work is high-quality and when finished will be a tremendous improvement for the city, its residents and its visitors. Just look at the completed projects to see what benefits have already come about.

Instead of constant criticism, maybe the Missourian and others should be thankful that the city administration and council pushed for the Transportation Trust Fund, that the citizens supported it wholeheartedly and that the work is being done. Just think of the condition of our streets and sewer systems today if this work were not being accomplished, especially with the budget constraints we face now. I can just imagine the editorials and the howling that would follow.

For you, Joe, I have several suggestions. First, Piedmont needs a roundabout. Second, go to Perryville and visit its new roundabout. Third, maybe you should try a new profession, like being a city manager or, better yet, a city engineer.

Albert Spradling III is the mayor of Cape Girardeau.