TTF tax

Remember driving on Cape Girardeau streets before the first Transportation Trust Fund sales tax passed 10 years ago?

The intersection at Independence Street and Mount Auburn Road didn't have double lanes and a traffic signal. Henderson Avenue and Normal Avenue didn't have turn lanes for motorists heading to campus. New Madrid Street, and many others like it, didn't have permanent pavement, curbs or sidewalks for pedestrians.

It's hard to recall the narrow gravel city streets we once traveled a decade ago. The transportation sales tax has generated revenue designated solely for street improvements, and city officials have used the money wisely.

That first TTF sales tax was set to expire after five years. This was so city residents would be assured that the money was being used effectively. If so, it would be a good case for extending the tax. And that's exactly what happened. In 2000 voters were asked if they wanted to keep improving city streets. They said yes. If they had said no, the tax would have expired.

The city will ask voters Aug. 2 to consider another five-year extension of the TTF sales tax to fund more projects as well as pay for general street and sidewalk repair and resurfacing.

The newest list includes widening sections of Mount Auburn from Independence to Kingshighway, widening Bloomfield Road from Stonebridge Road to Benton Hill Road, extending Fountain Street from Morgan Oak Street to William Street, improving the intersection at Kingshighway and Cape Rock Drive to add a northbound right-turn lane and constructing four new streets.

The list was developed by city planners and includes suggestions from residents.

The Transportation Trust Fund has delivered what voters were promised. It has proven to be a good tool for improving streets in Cape Girardeau.