The Cape Girardeau Public Works Department says if it gets warm weather this week -- 50 degrees or more -- it can make some paint meet some asphalt.

And then local drivers might find it easier to get around town.

Tim Gramling, assistant public works director, said a Cape Girardeau City Council decision in November prohibited parking at the curbs of Mount Auburn Road, opening the thoroughfare for expansion. Old paint was removed from the street last week, said Gramling. Now, all that remains is to paint a new center median stripe and to subdivide the two lanes into four.

"This week, whenever the temperature gets to a reasonable level, 50 degrees or higher, we'll do the white dash," he said.

Gramling also reported, weather permitting, the newly constructed end of Broadway will be completed this week.

The yellow median stripe to this much-anticipated expanded section, from Clark to Kingshighway, was painted Friday. Only the white dashes, to subdivide the four lanes, remain to be painted, Gramling said.

The yellow stripe and white dashes are made with a wheeled, EZ Liner-brand striper pulled behind a public works truck.

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*Get more information on (subject) at www.showme.net/capecity/depts/publicworks/ a site provided by Cape Girardeau Public Works.