The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced a progress update on safety and efficiency projects in District 2, including the Tallahatchie County bridge replacement projects.
On Highway 32 between Charleston and Webb, there is a project under construction replacing three existing bridges and several small drainage structures. The project will also construct a new bridge over the railroad just east of Webb.
In addition to four new bridges, the project will relocate the roadway to just north of and parallel to existing Highway 32. This relocation will allow construction to take place without the use and expense of detour roads and bridges.
Construction of this project began in August, and MDOT anticipates the project to be complete in fall 2018.
A second bridge replacement project, located approximately two-and-a- half miles west of Highway 35, is also under construction. The project consists of the replacement of two bridges. Construction of this project started in August, and MDOT expects the project to be complete in fall 2017.
In early 2017, MDOT will let a third project to contract that will replace seven bridges along Highway 32. MDOT is finalizing the plans for this project, but no estimated completion date has been set.
“The 12 bridges that these three projects will replace have been repaired multiple times and are posted at 15 tons or less,” said MDOT District 2 Engineer Mitch Turner. “These are steel beam bridges with timber pilings that were built in the late 1940s. Weather and wear and tear have made them a safety hazard for motorists.”
Funding for these three bridge replacement projects is coming from bond funds received in 2015 with the passing of House Bill 1630, known as the “Gaming Bill,” during the regular legislative session.
MDOT is in the early design phase of a fourth bridge replacement project along Highway 32 in Tallahatchie County. The project will replace three bridges along the mainline of the highway, including the bridge over the Tallahatchie River. MDOT currently expects the project to be let in early 2022. Federal funds will be utilized for this bridge replacement project.
“Over the next five years, MDOT will have working projects that will replace 15 structurally deficient bridges in Tallahatchie County alone,” said MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath. “MDOT is using every resource it has at hand to ensure that Mississippi’s highways and bridges remain safe for the traveling public.”
IN THE PHOTO: Work continues Tuesday afternoon on a bridge construction project on Highway 32 Central, about two-and-a-half miles west of the “three-way” intersection of highways 32 and 35 south of Charleston. This is one of two ongoing bridge replacement projects between Charleston and Webb. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
