City council seeks public input to pick main north-south conduit

One of the biggest issues to be determined before Cape Girardeau voters are asked to approve more taxes for road work is whether Sprigg Street or West End Boulevard will be the major north-south route through town.

At a special work session Monday, the Cape Girardeau City Council received a list of 28 projects that are being proposed for inclusion when voters are asked to renew the half-cent Transportation Trust Fund sales tax in 2010. Of those projects, 10 have been rated on several factors including safety, congestion relief and adherence to the city's comprehensive plan. Another 18 projects are listed as certain to be included when a final project list is submitted.

That list of certain projects includes four segments of West End Boulevard, including an extension from Bertling Street to Lexiongton Avenue. The list includes three sections of Sprigg Street, including an extension from Lexington Avenue to Cape Rock Drive.

While inclusion on the list means both roads are slated for major improvements, such as widening West End Boulevard from Southern Expressway to Bloomfield Street, which road will be the primary conduit for traffic has yet to be determined.

Councilwoman Loretta Schneider said during discussions that public input from both areas should guide planning. "A decision ought to be made to inform the residents," she said.

Grumbling residents

There was disagreement over whether widening certain sections would have a greater effect on residents in one area than others.

While Councilman Charlie Herbst said he thinks there are fewer people in the South Sprigg Street sections than along West End Boulevard, Councilman John Voss and Councilwoman Debra Tracy said they expect a bigger reaction from residents along North West End Boulevard.

"They are going to be grumbling about that," Tracy said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission plans a public hearing next month on proposals and city engineer Kelly Green must analyze the costs of each road segment before final decisions can be made. The city expects to put something before voters in 2010.

The council also discussed major construction projects on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. The university is asking for a way to slow or stop traffic at Henderson Street and Broadway for students of a new residence hall who will be assigned parking on the south side of Broadway.

Scott Meyer, director of facilities management for the university, said he understands a full stop light is unlikely to be installed that close to the one already in place at West End Boulevard. The university will work with the city to consider alternatives, he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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