Poplar Bluff city officials are making a new attempt to replace a bridge on Roxie Road that has seen ‘significant’ traffic increase since the opening of Shelby Road.
The matter was discussed Monday at a Poplar Bluff City Council meeting, during which incoming fire Chief Mike Moffitt was also sworn in. On hand for the ceremony were retired fire chief Ralph Stucker and members of Moffitt’s family.
The city is seeking a Community Block Development Grant for just over $600,000, which would fully fund replacement of the Roxie Road bridge, which connects Maud Street and Shelby Road.
“This is another pool of money that CDBG has,” Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters said, explaining that an earlier grant was not approved. “That bridge needs to be replaced.”
The project is eligible for this pot of grant money because it would benefit an area with at least 51% low and moderate income residents, according to officials.
“Roxie Road Bridge is a load-rated bridge of nine tons that poses a danger to the community by increasing potential flooding and restricting emergency vehicles and buses from accessing growing commercial and residential areas of the city of Poplar Bluff,” according to grant documents. “Currently, the Roxie Road Bridge is a restriction on Pike Creek. This restriction can prohibit stormwater from flowing properly, creating upstream flooding.
“Also, with the recent completion of the Shelby Road Phase II, there is more vehicular traffic on the bridge as it connects the city’s current largest business road, Westwood Boulevard, to the growing business road, Shelby Road.”
If approved, it is estimated construction would take up to six months.
In other business, the council:
• Discussed a request that 1608-1630 S. 11th St. be zoned C-2 general commercial for future development. A group of storage units was previously destroyed by fire in that area, according to the discussion. The property owner has multiple lots in the area and wishes to construct climate-controlled storage buildings.
• Approved agreements with Smith & Company to provide engineering services for a CDBG infrastructure grant and with the Missouri Department of Economic Development for a CDBG infrastructure street paving grant.
• Issued a conditional use permit for a daycare center to be located at 2880 Carrie Ann Circle.
• Approved an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation related to the replacement of the westbound bridge for Pine Street.
• Approved a change that will allow city employees to accrue up to 1,040 hours of sick leave. The amount was previously capped at 900 hours.