HOPE ILLINOIS SUPPORTS BRIDGE PROJECT FOR CAPE

The Mississippi River separates Missouri from Illinois. Millions of dollars and a disparate list of priorities separate Cape Girardeau from seeing its long-held dream of a new river bridge become a reality. In terms of aligning its preferences, Missouri has done its work; funding has been programmed for construction to take place this decade. In Illinois, where many of the costs will be borne, the high ranking of this project is not automatically shared. We hope Illinois heeds the call of many Missouri officials about this project and does not prolong Cape Girardeau's pursuit of a new bridge.

Cape Girardeau's current bridge should provide Springfield a shocking number: 64. That is how old the two-laned, functionally obsolete structure is. Even if events proceed as Missouri officials hope, the bridge will be approaching its seventh decade in use by the time a new span is dedicated. The bridge that connects Cape Girardeau with East Cape Girardeau was constructed through the persistence and ingenuity of earlier civic leaders here. Today, those same attributes, plus the power of persuasion, might pay off in advancing the new bridge.

As a Missourian, it was easy to be lulled into a sense of security with the new bridge's progress. A model of the bridge route has been presented for public perusal, right of way is being acquired and test borings are being taken at points along this proposed traffic artery. When people of this area helped pass Proposition A several years ago, part of the package was money for the Cape Girardeau bridge. Indeed, those funds are in place.

In Illinois, however, things are viewed differently. While the state has budget worries, it has a gasoline tax higher than Missouri's and the capacity to move ahead with some projects. The Cape Girardeau bridge, however, is competing with other joint Missouri-Illinois transportation endeavors, such as proposed spans at Hannibal, Alton and St. Louis. Gov. Jim Edgar of Illinois will see the Cape Girardeau bridge on a list of recommended projects; on his crowded agenda, he won't necessarily attach to it the significance people of our city will.

When you stand in a market's checkout line, it's easy to grow frustrated with the thought other lines around you are moving quicker. Cape Girardeau, which has put so much effort in recent years into improving its infrastructure, feels this frustration. The bridge will ultimately be built, true. But, we feel our time has come. The hope is our friends in Illinois, particularly in Springfield, will feel the same way.