PERRYVILLE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD AUGMENT LEXINGTON PROJECT

The opening of the newest section of Lexington Avenue -- connecting the arterial between Perryville Road and Cape Rock Drive -- has been a welcome improvement to traffic flow in the northern end of Cape Girardeau. After several delays, the road officially opened Jan. 14.

The north end of Cape Girardeau is experiencing strong growth, and this Lexington expansion has been sorely needed. We're eager for the next phase to begin. This final section will connect Lexington along Melody Lane to Highway 177 -- creating a city outer belt for traffic.

Along the same lines, we'd like to see Perryville Road improved as soon as possible. We concur with members of the city's planning and zoning commission, who have called for a shortened timetable on proposed Perryville project. The P&Z has passed on this recommendation to the city council. In turn, the council will likely discuss the matter as part of its capital improvements budget, which is typically proposed at the end of January.

Perryville is simply too narrow and curvy for the heavy traffic load it carries.

The Perryville project has long been a priority for the city, but there has never been any money in the budget to proceed. With the continued growth in the north end of town, moving up the project timetable seems prudent.

Even with approval, these street improvements don't happen overnight. Lexington is a good example of the time and expense it takes to expand a major thoroughfare.

The next phase of the Lexington project is awaiting final property negotiations. All land has been acquired to Old Sprigg Street Road, except for a single property owner. This phase to Highway 177 will probably be bid as a single contract, says City Planner Kent Bratton. A separate bid will encompass the extension of Sprigg Street north to Lexington.

In addition to improved traffic flow, Lexington has opened up prime real estate for development. And developers are wasting little time.

While construction of the route spreads east, Lexington's development on the western edge continues at a rapid pace. Interestingly enough, this development includes both residential and churches. Three congregations have purchased property churches on both sides of Lexington. Construction has already begun on the First Pentecostal Church at the northwest corner of the Belleridge subdivision. Christ Presbyterian Church has bought acreage across from Abbey Road, and Cape LaCroix United Methodist Church owns a large tract on the west side of Lexington.

The completion of Lexington has also spurred further residential development on both sides of the street. Another new subdivision has been proposed on the west side of Lexington. Lexington Place subdivision, which proposes a subdivision that will include about 30 lots of duplexes and another 60 single-family residential lots, this week was given initial approval by the city council.

Union Electric has already bought property for a new substation to upgrade electrical service to that area.

We're glad to see renewed development in the north end of town. And the city has worked hard to improve traffic flow with the completion of Lexington. We hope the council will now step up improvements to Perryville to further facilitate orderly growth and traffic flow.