NEW INTERCHANGE WON'T JUST SERVE JACKSON

After years of trying to convince the state of the need for a new Interstate 55 interchange with Jackson's East Main Street extension, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission hasapproved plans for the project as part of its five-year highway plan.

Jackson officials and economic-development leaders pushed hard for the interchange, and the city extended East Main to within a mile of I-55 in anticipation of the project gaining approval long before the state gave its OK. Jackson displayed a great deal of determination in moving ahead with the street's extension while continuing its push for the interchange, proceeding with confidence in knowing that sooner or later the state would come through.

Construction of the interchange is expected to begin in 2006, and Jackson is in a position to begin planning for extending East Main on to the interstate so it can be linked with the interchange when it is finished in 2007.

Jackson sought the interchange, which will be built north of the U.S. 61 interchange between Jackson and Cape Girardeau, as a means of providing another route in and out of the growing community. It is needed and will relieve some of the traffic along U.S. 61 between the two cities.

While the interchange has been billed as a way to help Jackson's traffic problems, its location near County Road 618 and Southeast Missouri State University's demonstration farm also opens up new opportunities for the university and Cape Girardeau.

Interstate interchanges spur adjacent development and this one will be no different. The university foresees conversion of the 368-acre farm into a research and technology park in the distant future. Cape Girardeau officials have talked about eventually annexing northwesterly toward the new interchange, but no plans along those lines have been revealed.

The fact is, the interchange will do more than serve Jackson. It will serve Cape Girardeau as well. With construction expected in five years, Cape Girardeau should be planning now for any annexation into the area and give thought to how a connecting road on the east side of I-55 should be tied in to serve Cape Girardeau's future.

Cape Girardeau and Jackson have agreed that neither will extend its city limits to opposite sides of I-55 and have met frequently to coordinate city planning in a spirit of cooperation. That continued cooperation will be important in the development around the new interchange, and now is a good time for the governing bodies of both cities to meet once again to talk about the future of the new interchange.