A construction project begins today to widen Mount Auburn Road from William Street to Bloomfield Road, with a ground breaking ceremony at 10 a.m. at Fire Station No. 2 on Mount Auburn Road. When finished, the street will be widened from 44 feet to 59 feet and from two to four lanes with an additional middle turn lane.

Two lanes of the road will stay open throughout the construction period. City engineering officials estimate the project's completion in November.

According to assistant city engineer Abdul Alkadry, the designated area receives heavy traffic: 9,300 cars per day at its north end and 7,700 cars at its south end.

"The traffic counts deem it necessary to expand the lanes," Alkadry said. "This should make traffic move more smoothly."

The project will also include the installation of four traffic signals. These signals will be located at the intersection of Bloomfield and Mount Auburn roads, Mount Auburn Road and Doctors Park, Siemers Drive and Bloomfield Road, and Siemers and Lambert drives.

Alkadry has had the personal experience of being in need of a traffic signal on Mount Auburn. "Traffic backs up and it's pretty confusing sometimes," Alkadry said. "Sometimes you can hardly get on the road."

The project also includes the installation of a 12-inch water line and the construction of new sidewalks. The water line will improve the area's water service, while the sidewalks will provide additional safety for pedestrians. The total cost of the project, which was approved by voters during the Transportation Trust Fund 2 referendum in 2000, is about $1.3 million.

The businesses around the area include Cape West Park Mall and Doctors Park medical complex.

Cory Welker, an intern at Cape Girardeau Surgical Clinic, drives on Mount Auburn every weekday. He said he isn't looking forward to the construction on the already crowded road.

"This will probably be a hassle for all of the doctors and patients," Welker said.

Regardless of the short-term inconvenience, Welker looks forward to having more lanes available when the project is finished.

"It will be a good development in the long run," Welker said. "Any type of improvement is welcome."

sludwig@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 211