Interstate 66 is a national project to design and construct a new east-west interstate bridging the nation from Washington, D. C., to California. Though the completed project is generations away, the early planning is now under way. That's critical to Southeast Missouri because the interstate will enter Missouri in our region and then head westward. The question of the day however is just where the interstate will enter Missouri and what route it will then take.
There's no need to discuss territorial battles at this point but as of now, Cape Girardeau officials favor a route that would slice the interstate from Paducah through southern Illinois and cross at the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. Those officials then hope the route will meander westward eventually connecting with Highway 60 somewhere west of here.
Sikeston, Charleston and many other communities however favor a route that would cross the Mississippi River at Wickliffe (or thereabouts) and connect with Highway 60 near Charleston. That route makes engineering sense but it also would include a new bridge crossing the Mississippi at a pricetag that would surely top $100 million-perhaps a lot more.
Discussions on this new interstate have been under way for some time. In fact, much of the interstate is already under way on the eastern sections. But on Monday of this week, officials from Kentucky and Missouri gathered here to advance the discussion. As expected, Cape Girardeau officials are lobbying strongly for the Cape portion of the new roadway. An equal argument is being offered by the Sikeston/Charleston officials.
It goes without saying where we think the proposed route should be located. It makes little sense to bend the interstate through a national forest in southern Illinois. And Illinois officials have expressed no interest in the project crossing the tip of that state with only limited benefit to Illinois residents.
The cost of a new bridge is minimal compared to the billions of dollars that will eventually be spent on the interstate. Highway 60 connects with Interstate 57 and Interstate 55 and would prove the ideal route from Kentucky into Missouri. I believe everyone knows this and I believe Sikeston will benefit from the eventual decision. But politics will be involved heavily on the decision and that's frightening.
Cape Girardeau is scrambling to hire a consultant and lobbyist to advance their position. Perhaps we need to do the same to fight for our position. It would be money well spent.