Local News
Lake Ready For Summer; T Bypass Open
May 25th 2011 by News
By Annabeth Miller ,
ShowMe Times Editor
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a set of three community meetings around Wappapello on Tuesday to update residents on the status of work and to allow them to ask questions and voice concerns.
The biggest news of the day was delivered by Lindell Huskey with the Missouri Deprtment of Transportation – welcome news for those who live, work and visit the lake area.
“The T Highway bypass will be completed this evening,”Huskey said to the applause of the large crowd at Crabb’s Fisherman’s Net restaurant Tuesday afternoon. “In fact, the folks who come to the meeting this evening (the second Corps meeting) should be able to go home on the new road.”
Officials with the Corps, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and a representative of State Sen. Rob Mayer’s office , Brad Jarrell, were all in attendance at the earl afternoon gathering.
The new road was built in less than two weeks, and is located along the Southside Spillway Access Road, which runs through the Blue Hole area. The roadway will be used until a decision is made about rebuilding the section of T Highway that was destroyed when the water overtook the spillway.
Wappapello Lake Operations Manager Cindy Jackson said the Corps of Engineers will work with the Missouri Department of Transportation and federal and state officials to develop ideas for how Highway T roadway will be rebuilt.
Open For Summer
This coming weekend is the traditional start of the summer season at Wappapello, and Jackson wants folks to realize that the lake is still “open”.
“I will open the campground at Redman on Thursday morning, and the upper campground at People’s Creek is already open,” she said. The Bill Emerson Visitor Center has reopened
A new road leading to the Redman Creek boat ramp is being constructed and should be open by Memorial Day weekend, Jackson said. The road will lead down the hillside from the Bill Emerson Visitor Center to the Redman launch area. The road will be gravel for now, until arrangements can be made for asphalting.
“The lake level is dropping 8 to 10 inches a day, she said, and as the water drops repairs and cleanup at recreational areas will begin. She stressed, however that visitors are indeed welcome during the upcoming holiday weekend. She said businesses have been readying for the holiday weekend and the summer season.
“I think this (the high water) has probably helped the crappie spawn,” Jackson said. “Nature takes care of things.”
“We’ve had floods before and we’ve done cleanup before – we’ll be business as usual with that,” she said. “I’ve got a resourceful staff.”
Summer pool at the lake is anticipated by early July at Wappapello.
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Last Updated on May 25th 2011 by News
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/uips/Lake-Ready-For-Summer-T-Bypass-Open
