BENTON - Scott County Commissioners will work with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Cape Girardeau County to extend Highway AB, also known as Nash Road, located by the Cape Girardeau Airport, to meet Highway 25.
Barry Horst, project development engineer, and Eric Krapf discussed the project on the behalf of MoDOT. This project would require a new railroad crossing and a meeting with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad officials is set for mid-August.
Krapf said that the railroad company may require crossing to be taken out in exchange for the new crossing. In this case, the crossing on County Road 220, which is shared by Scott and Cape counties, will be removed.
After meeting with railroad officials, a public meeting will be held in late August or early September to present the plan to the community. This meeting will be advertised after the dates is set.
Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel suggested this new route would be convenient and quicker for people from communities such as Oran, Chaffee, Dexter and Advance when traveling to Cape Girardeau. "People tend to go the quickest route and I think this is going to be the quickest route," Horst agreed.
Commissioners acknowledged that more traffic would be traveling on the new route. They discussed different stopping methods for the intersection. "There are already quite a few accidents where 77 hits 25," Priggel said.
Commissioner Jamie Burger asked if a light could be placed at the Highway 77 and Highway 25 intersection. "There's been a remarkable difference in the number of accidents in Dutchtown since they put that light in," he said. He suggested that a light could possibly help decrease traffic accidents at this intersection as well.
A four-way stop and other options were mentioned, which will be further discussed at a later time, when plans are more complete.
In other Scott County news, W.H. Winchester III, associate circuit judge for Division 4, presented the commissioners with some possible court room renovations. The commissioners were receptive to the suggestions and proposed a meeting to discuss these changes with those involved.
Scott County Economic Developer Jim Schwaninger also gave an update.
* The Ramsey Bridge application is being filled out. "Everything is going fine," Schwaninger reported.
* The annual TIF commission meeting was held recently at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Mall.
* Schwaninger is also working on a grant through Southwestern Bell. This grant is for non-profit organizations to use toward technology training.