Cape seeks funding, online poll results for sidewalk projects

Cape Girardeau city officials want residents to take an online poll about two proposed sidewalk projects even as the city council looks to approve plans to request federal funding to build them.

The city plans to seek federal Transportation Alternatives Program funding through the Missouri Department of Transportation to build sidewalks along sections of Independence Street and Cape Rock Drive.

The council is expected to approve the funding effort at its meeting today.

City engineer Casey Brunke said the federal grants would cover 80 percent of the cost, with the city providing the remainder from its transportation trust fund.

Brunke said the city will compete with other local governments for funding. Grant applications are due by Nov. 1, she added.

A decision could come by the first of the year, she said.

Brunke said city staff have received requests over the years from residents for sidewalk construction at those two locations.

The city wants to build a concrete sidewalk, starting on the west side of East Rodney Drive and extending south on Independence Street to connect to the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail.

A roundabout under construction at Independence and East Rodney will have cutouts that provide for a pedestrian walkway through the intersection, Brunke said.

The Cape Rock Drive project calls for construction of a concrete sidewalk from Kingshighway to Perryville Road, with a connecting sidewalk on Brookwood to connect to Dennis Scivally Park.

Brunke said the majority of work would take place within existing city right of way.

Pedestrian access across Kingshighway to Arena Park would not be included in this project. Brunke said the city hopes to tackle that project later.

In written reports to the city council, Brunke said the goal is to provide sidewalks that would allow residents to walk safely to restaurants, shops and recreational facilities.

The online poll on the city’s website at cityofcapegirardeau.org asks whether respondents support the two projects and whether they would use the sidewalks if they were constructed. It also asks whether respondents own property along the routes and whether they have seen people walking in the streets because of a lack of sidewalks in those neighborhoods.

Poll responses will be collected through Oct. 28.

Brunke said the city hopes to include the results of the poll in its grant application.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.