CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - Cape Girardeau officials say a longtime goal of having a faster route between Cape Girardeau to Paducah, Ky. is closer to reality.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved $3.6 million to evaluate the most feasible route between Paducah and Interstate 55 in Missouri.
Mayor Harry Rediger said during a news conference Thursday that he believes the route will happen, even though it was first proposed 20 years ago.
Supporters say the proposed Interstate 66 would reduce the driving time from Interstate 55 to Interstate 24 in Paducah from 90 minutes to 45 minutes.
The Southeast Missourian (http://bit.ly/qtWmRl) reports that the project is part of the East-West Transamerica Corridor first discussed in the 1980s that would start in San Diego and end near Norfolk, Va.
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Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com