STATE DEPARTMENT HOPES TO TAKE LEAD ON I-66 STUDY

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Missouri Highway and Transportation Department is asking the Federal Highway Administration to appoint it as the lead agency for a feasibility study on whether to build a new east-west highway being promoted as Interstate 66.

Wayne Muri, chief engineer for the department, said during a recent visit to Cape Girardeau that he hoped to learn later this month whether his department would be chosen to lead the study.

"We have made a request to be that lead agency," said Muri. "We're going for it."

The current federal budget includes $1.25 million for a feasibility study, which will require some matching money from states along the proposed route.

Walt Wildman, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, which initiated the I-66 concept about 21 months ago, was in Washington, D.C. last week to attend the annual convention of the Transportation Research Board.

Muri is outgoing president of the board and, although the board does not have an official position, the organization has an impact on national highway policy and works closely with the Federal Highway Administration.

Wildman said he hoped to use the convention as a way of helping to increase support for Missouri being the lead state in the I-66 study.

The Transportation Research Board is also strongly on record as opposed to any plan to delay approval by Congress of a new highway authorization bill this fall.

Wildman said the FHA is giving serious consideration to using I-66 as the centerpiece of its re-authorization bill recommendations.

Muri said delaying the authorization and extending the current bill would amount to "a cop-out." He stressed that before Missouri can begin planning strategies to address future highway and bridge improvements, it needs to know what direction the federal program will be moving.

The present authorization bill, which expires this October, was primarily focused on construction of the interstate highway system. Muri said the new bill will set the pattern for the next 25 years for highways in the state.

Many feel the focus of the new bill will be to tie existing interstate highways together and fill any gaps in the system. Now is the time for groups like Chambers of Commerce and citizens to be pushing Congress to approve a new highway bill, said Muri.

He noted that politicians want a "comfort level" of knowing that people are behind them and that citizens need to understand the importance of the new highway bill and go all out to get support for projects. "If both oars are not in the water, your boat won't move," declared Muri.

Wildman stressed that the I-66 concept fits well into needs that are being talked about for a new highway bill. "Every standard the federal government is trying to push, this highway meets," observed Wildman.

Like Muri, Wildman is optimistic about Missouri's chances of being chosen as the lead state for the study. He noted that the FHA has never done a study of this magnitude and will have to rely on states for information and leadership. Between 10 and 12 states would be involved in the study, and Wildman said he has agreed to enlist the support of I-66 Project, Inc. in securing the matching funds from states along the route.

Highway departments in several states that have been contacted are offering encouragement for doing the study, he noted.

Wildman said it is likely that I-66 could be constructed as a "smart highway" and be equipped with the Intelligent Highway Vehicle System. The system would set off warning signals to cars that run off the road, provide access to weather forecasts and road conditions, and could provide a system for truck drivers to be notified of messages.

Other factors working in favor of I-66 are increased traffic counts on other east-west highways, the potential economic development and tourism opportunities the highway could open up, and the fact that support for I-66 is coming from the grassroots level.

Once a state is appointed to take charge of the study, Wildman said he is unsure of the role that would be played by I-66 Project, Inc., now based in Wichita, Kan. Wildman said the group would likely serve as a "cheerleader and motivator" to hold the grassroots support together and provide any assistance that is needed.

Wildman said it is important to understand the feasibility study will not determine the route that is used, but rather will study all possible routes, things like costs and demographics, and put all the data on the table for consideration.

In this part of the country, there are two potential routes being suggested. One, favored by Congressman Bill Emerson, would provide for using the Highway 60 corridor as the route across Missouri. But some of the originators of the I-66 idea would prefer to have the route run through Cape Girardeau and along Highway 34 and through the Marble Hill and Piedmont area before eventually tying in with Highway 60.

The most important thing for now, said Wildman, is that state highway departments, federal highway officials and members of Congress, are starting to view I-66 as a project with potential.

"People are starting to realize the importance of this project and are beginning to see it as an important key to our future in this area," said Wildman.

Both Wildman and Muri have indicated a decision which state will serve as the lead agency could come as soon as this week.