PROGRESS ON LEXINGTON TO PAVE WAY FOR GROWTH

Cape Girardeau Lexington Avenue was once sy~non~y~mous ~with controversy. For those keeping tabs on this growing thoroughfare, it should now be synonymous with civic progress. After some hesitancy by the City Council to move ahead with this project, construction on the northside arterial street is proceeding at a brisk pace. It remains an important component in the city's overall planning efforts and we are pleased to see it moving swiftly along.

As a drawing board consideration, Lexington Avenue is not foreign to municipal leaders. It has long been tabbed to fulfill the wish-list desire for an east-west artery to facilitate expansion in northern Cape Girardeau. Unfortunately, the growth started before the grand part of the plan was realized, leading to a dispute about using Lexington (narrow and residential in one residential area) as an arterial route. The concerns of some citizens opposing the route were well-grounded, but the City Council opted to move ahead with the more extensive scheme, which is to build a route that will circle the city. Ultimately, the connection of Melody Lane, Lexington, Mt. Auburn Road and other avenues will complete this loop.

A section of Lexington from Carolina to Flad avenues was finished last summer, and the stretch from Flad to Route W is at the point of completion now. Bids were opened Friday for the next phase of the project, construction of a five-lane bridge across Cape LaCroix Creek and a signalized intersection where North Kingshighway, Lexington, Mt. Auburn and Route W will converge. The contractor hopes to have this phase under way this fall, and the total Lexington project, with a price tag of more than $3 million, should be finished by 1993.

It is easy to fall victim to the malaise that since the region's economy has not been the best, there is little progress to be noted. Part of the trick of developing an environment for civic advancement is for a community to put itself into position to accept growth. Clearly, Cape Girardeau is doing that with the construction of Lexington Avenue. A road in itself is only hard material; what it leads to is what counts. We believe Lexington will lead to positive things for the community and are pleased with its progress.