Sonny Clay, Monroe County road manager, explained to me in Aberdeen that a square foot of asphalt can last for 10 years or more depending on where it is built. Clay explained that the ground on the east side (Tombigbee River) has more sand. It is much easier to maintain a road there. You can build the same road on the opposite side and the soil will be much the same as what you’ll find here in the Delta. It is prone to settlement, which causes it to deteriorate much quicker.” The water-dependent county is in many ways dependent on its water features. It is divided by the Tombigbee River. This 200-mile tributary to the Mobile River runs through the county. Clay stated that every county has its own needs. Clay said that “it really depends on what is there.” Clay’s county serves is one in which there is plenty of water. Monroe commuters, who live or work in the area, are often able to make use of the state’s bridge network. They are close to cites such as Tupelo, Starkville, and Columbus. One of these bridges can be found on Highway 25 across Bull Mountain Creek. Although the bridge was constructed in 1951, it has not been subject to a rehabilitation since. Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), has designated the bridge as a priority in its Five Year Plan. MDOT’s infrastructure priority lists change daily due to flooding and other adjustments to funding. It is difficult to predict when a project will be completed until they are officially awarded to bidders. Monroe County was fortunate to have the $2,798,930 project awarded by MDOT’s commission on June 14. MDOT assigns priority to replacement projects based on variables such as the effect of the bridge on traffic, the distance traffic would be diverted if the bridge were closed, and whether the current state of disrepair will accelerate the structure’s deterioration. The bridge’s replacement index will determine its priority. The replacement index for Monroe County is 56.22. MDOT estimates that the bridge is used by approximately 2,600 vehicles daily. Steel girders have deteriorated and piling has also fallen apart over time. The sun shines through the cracks that regular traffic has caused in the Monroe County bridge. Clay stated, “We’re imperfect,” but “in many ways, our County is blessed.” This could be surprising, as the three projects MDOT has slated to Monroe County represent less than.41% of the $3B estimate in MDOT’s Five Year Plan for road improvement. Like other counties, Monroe relies on funds from the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Programs (LSBP/LSRP) and the Local System Road Programs (LSRP). The Office of State Aid Road Construction has authorized funds that allow counties to use LSBP/LSRP and State Aid funds respectively for building and maintaining roads and bridges. Monroe’s Supervisor Billy Kirkpatrick said that Monroe residents need the same basic needs as everyone else. Even though we have only a little over a thousand miles of road, it is still quite a bit to maintain. While we are grateful for the help of the fund, the people who use the roads every day feel better about their surroundings. When you get down to the truth, people want good roads and good jobs. Covington County, Highway 590 crosses Currey Creek. State Highway 590 runs through miles of forest for miles east of Seminary. This highway is used daily by approximately 1,800 commercial and local vehicles, who often speed through its twisting sections. Two miles east of the Seminary corporate boundaries, Currey Creek is crossed by a two-lane bridge. This bridge, which was constructed in 1955, serves as a key connecting point between Ellisville and Seminary. The Mississippi Department of Transportation decided to install additional supports in order to keep the bridge operational until permanent repairs are possible. This was due to the severe deterioration of bridge piling, including sections that were rusting. MDOT gave the bridge a replacement index score of 83.25 due to its poor condition. This is quite high. It has not been subject to major rehabilitation since its construction. The bridge was designated a priority in the MDOT Five Year Plan due to its poor condition. Despite the fact that this project has been given high priority, no bid was submitted. Tate County: Highway 51 crosses Coldwater Creek. This bridge spans Coldwater Creek and is a former route used by approximately 2,800 people to travel between DeSoto County and Tate County. The bridge was closed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation on March 11, according to WREG TV in Memphis. This was due to flooding damage. It has not received any rehabilitation projects since 1935 when it was built. As part of the Five Year Plan, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will begin work on the bridge. However, Coldwater’s main arteries remain closed. Vernon Jackson, Coldwater Mayor, said that the bridge’s closure has caused a strain in his community, despite Interstate 55 being nearby. Jackson stated that there are people who use the bridge to commute to work and return home. Jackson stated, “Now they must use the bridge over Interstate 55 or find an alternative route.” The flow of traffic can affect not only the driving path but also the path of dollars that could otherwise be spent in Coldwater. Jackson stated that regular traffic through small towns like Coldwater is a boon for the economy. It has a huge impact on the economy. With a major road closed, buses, fire and police, supply lines, and commuters have to rework their routes. This adds time to what was once a short drive. He said that there are many people in DeSoto County who use the bridge to go shopping in Coldwater. “(The bridge) should be closed because it adversely impacts the Coldwater economy,” he said. MDOT’s commission approved the bidding to L & A Contracting Company at $22,736,357.34 for the replacement of the bridge. Issaquena County: Highway 465, over Steel Bayou As State Highway 465 travels south, following the Mississippi River in Issaquena County. It then hooks abruptly to follow Eagle Lake’s Yazoo River east. This section of State Highway 465 was constructed in 1959 to enable people to cross Steel Bayou (a tributary to the Yazoo). According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, 790 people use the bridge each day. Although the bridge is in Issaquena County it is not easily accessible by most residents. Louis Hatcher (supervisor of District Two in Issaquena County), noted that the bridge is used primarily by residents of Warren County to the south. Hatcher stated, “That far down in county?” “That bridge is mostly used by people from Eagle Lake in Warren County.” The bridge is an important lifeline for Eagle Lake residents. To reach Vicksburg, you will need to travel north through Issaquena if the bridge is damaged. The section of 465 that connects with the bridge was flooded in 2012. According to MDOT this caused cracking and abrasion in its deck and corrosion on its steelgirders. It also led to the bridge’s eastern edge moving. Although the flooding was only for a few months, Warren County Supervisor William Banks said that it had been there for a while. However, residents who live there all year are used to dealing with flooding. Banks stated that “a lot of people had moved out and into the town” in 2012. “Most people who live there are well-prepared for such things.” Highway 465 was submerged by the flooding. Local residents will face the same problems when the Mississippi Department of Transportation repairs the bridge over Steel Bayou. It is not clear when the Highway 465 bridge repair will take place. MDOT still considers the bridge a priority, but their list of projects is constantly changing so it’s impossible to predict a date for its repair. Banks stated that 465 is the main thoroughfare in that area. They must follow 465 for 30 to 45 minutes. They save a lot of time by using that bridge.” MDOT’s commission approved the bid for Gibson & Associates, Inc. at $2,316,616.50 Hinds County: Highway473 over Vaughn Creek
The highway 473 crosses Vaughn Creek, just a short distance from Interstate 55’s exit at Terry High School. It was built in 1959, and serves approximately 1,400 people each day. Due to concerns about the structure’s decay, the Mississippi Department of Transportation has placed an eight-ton limit on the bridge.
A wooden brace was built on the southern side to prevent soil from sinking. Engineers have reported to MDOT that they found minor damage to the deck, substructure and superstructure. MDOT has provided support to keep the bridge in operation. The contract was awarded by MDOT to Joe McGee Construction Company, Inc. on June 14, 2016. This company received just $1.9 million for completion of the project. Bobby McGowan, the supervisor, declined to comment about the impact of the bridge on his district. To support this work, make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. This will allow us to continue important work such as this one.