Agricultural traffic might snarl plans for an Interstate 55 interchange in Scott City.

The Missouri Department of Transportation held an open-house community briefing Tuesday to discuss construction of an interchange south of Scott City, part of the agency's three-phase effort to ease traffic congestion there.

MoDOT personnel emphasized there is no money for the project now but that it is a good time to start environmental evaluations of the three proposals for the interchange. The evaluations could take a year and a half.

Two proposals use the existing overpass for Route PP about two miles south of the Scott City interchange.

The other option would involve an interchange between Route PP and the southern end of the city, said MoDOT project manager Eric Krapf.

But some farmers are concerned about directing highway traffic onto Route PP, a road they use to move equipment across the interstate.

Larry Blattel of Scott City grows wheat, corn and soybeans and raises cattle on both sides of the highway.

"If I come across the road with a combine, I take up the whole bridge, and I have to get somebody to flag traffic," Blattel said. "Cars have had to back up when I come across."

"We want those kinds of comments," Krapf said. "We may say, 'In order to use this bridge, we're going to have to widen it.'"

About 40 people crowded into city hall chambers to view the proposals. The estimated cost for one proposal, to add ramps to the existing Route PP overpass was about $6 million, Krapf said. The estimated cost to build a diamond interchange at Route PP was about $8 million. The estimated cost of building an entirely new interchange was $10 million, Krapf said. He added that MoDOT estimates it will spend $2 million to buy rights of way.

MoDOT sent out letters to landowners in the area who might be affected by the project. Seven recipients responded, all with positive replies, Krapf said.

John Moll of Kelso, Mo., said he received a letter and replied that MoDOT could dig on his property to evaluate the environmental and cultural effects construction of an interchange would have on his property.

"They aren't going to find anything," Moll said. "My grandfather didn't find anything when he plowed it with a team."

jgamm@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

215 Chester Ave., Scott City, MO