SIKESTON-As part of the location and design approval phase, the Missouri Department of Transportation is currently conducting research and accepting public input on a proposed project to improve Route 177 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The proposed project would improve two sections of Route 177 to help mitigate issues with flooding. The south end of the project will improve the Juden Creek area by raising the roadway and relocating the centerline slightly to the south of its existing location. The north end of the project will improve the Scism Creek area by raising the roadway.
“When roadways are closed due to flooding, MoDOT understands it can be a frustrating inconvenience,” said Project Manager Benji Philpot.
Philpot explained that in the past MoDOT crews have temporarily raised Route 177 to assist local travelers during flooding incidents.
“Temporarily raising the roadway isn’t the ideal situation for local travelers,” he said. “It also takes significant manpower from up to four MoDOT crews to place the aggregate and then remove it once floodwaters recede.”
MoDOT’s project team is currently completing archeological and architectural research before beginning right-of-way acquisition. The project is expected to be constructed in 2022.
Interested persons may review the project in more detail and share their thoughts at https://www.modot.org/route-177-cape-girardeau-county. Comments may also be shared with Philpot at (573) 472-5371 or MoDOT Transportation Project Designer Jeff Wachter at (573) 472-5294. Comments will be accepted through Monday, Oct. 19.
For more information, please visit https://www.modot.org/route-177-cape-girardeau-county or www.modot.org/southeast.
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