LET'S HOPE INTERCHANGE FUNDING PLAN WORKS

An effort to finance and build improvements to the Interstate 55-U.S. 61 interchange between Cape Girardeau and Jackson has won first-round approval from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. Officials of Cape Girardeau County and the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson want to form a transportation corporation that could issue bonds and speed up improvements at the interchange, commonly known locally as Center Junction.

Earlier this month, MoDOT authorized public meetings, the next step needed to move the project ahead. Following public meetings, the highway commission will consider the project again. A decision could come by the end of the summer.

Under the current plan, the transportation corporation would issue bonds and the local governments would pay up-front construction costs and interest. MoDOT would buy back the bonds in the future.

Planned improvements include moving the westbound lanes of U.S. 61 closer to the eastbound lanes and improving turning movements by relocating the I-55 access ramps further from the interchange.

Says Cape County Presiding commissioner Gerald Jones: "We will have to pay some interest for a year or two, then we will pay ourselves back with that sales tax" generated by increased development at the interchange. Let's hope it works out this way.