Extending Fountain

Cape Girardeau officials recently dropped their plans for a connector street that would have been built adjacent to the new federal courthouse after federal officials voiced opposition.

The connector street would have linked Fountain Street from William to Independence and routed traffic to the city's historic downtown.

However, the city intends to go ahead with its plan to extend Fountain Street as a divided boulevard from its intersection with Highway 74.

Traffic coming off the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge from Illinois can take Fountain Street downtown to shop or visit the riverfront. The street has been designed with three roundabouts at its intersections with Morgan Oak, Good Hope and William streets.

The city's planning and zoning commission had hoped to further extend the street past the new courthouse, but federal officials said they preferred more open green space. Federal officials also expressed concern about the security risk of street access so close to the new federal building.

Local officials now must determine how best to route traffic from the bridge to the downtown area. Now is the time for ideas and suggestions.