Two major street and highway improvements, one in Cape Girardeau and the other in Jackson, are about finished, and motorists will soon be driving on wider, smoother and safer roadways.

The project to widen Highway 34/72 through Jackson from Highway 25 west to the Highway 34 turnoff has taken several years. During that time motorists coming from the west to Jackson or Cape Girardeau have endured detours and other delays associated with a major highway project. Now the highway has a raised median and signals at major intersections, including the one where Highway 34 and Highway 72 split west of Jackson.

In Cape Girardeau, the Independence Street project from Pacific Street west to Kingshighway is about finished. This project, which started last July, widens the street to four lanes, improves intersections and signals and resurfaces the pavement.

Throughout both projects, efforts have been made to provide access to businesses along the construction routes. The completion of these projects means two major arteries will be able to accommodate more traffic. In Cape Girardeau, there should be less congestion on Broadway and William Street. Being able to drive on the new Independence Street from downtown to Kingshighway will be a welcome improvement.