~ Initial work on extension shouldn't affect traffic much, city official says.

Construction crews will begin clearing a path today in Jackson to extend East Main Street to the future Interstate 55 interchange.

The first phase of the two-phase East Main Street extension project costs the city more than $600,000.

Jackson public works director Rodney Bollinger said the contractor plans to demolish a house and then clear the land to make way for the roadway.

The first phase of the project extends from Oak Hill Road to Interstate 55. It will include installing a stormwater detention basin, concrete damage pipe, water and sewer lines.

Bollinger said the first phase is expected to be complete before the end of October.

"There won't initially be much impact to traffic," Bollinger said about the project. Motorists should be alert for equipment at and near the intersection of East Main Street and Oak Hill Road, he said.

The lowest bid for the project was from Fronabarger Concreters Inc. of Oak Ridge and was nearly $260,000 less than the engineering estimate of $864,355.

Bollinger said it was the city's goal to start work on phase one this year so the city's electric distribution department can begin constructing an electric transmission line to the Center Junction interchange.

Phase two of the project, which is scheduled for 2007, will include the concrete paving of the four-lane road and sidewalks. This phase is estimated at $600,000.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is expected to advertise for bids in July for the $8.3 million interchange project on I-55. MoDOT's project manager Andy Meyer said work should begin in September.

The interchange project on I-55 will include a five-lane East Main Street with two eastbound and two westbound lanes and a center turn lane. It will also have a dual left-turn lane at the interchange ramps. The new lanes will be constructed under I-55.

Cape Girardeau plans to rebuild County Road 618 -- to be renamed LaSalle Avenue -- and extend the road to I-55. The city is in the process of selecting an engineering firm to design LaSalle Avenue.

"There may be a certain amount of inconvenience to residents in these areas with respect to increased construction traffic, machine noise, dirt and debris that accompany such jobs," Bollinger said. "We ask for patience and cooperation of affected property owners while the construction progresses through these areas and hopes it moves swiftly with little trouble to them."

The entire interchange project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246