The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is moving forward with a project to remove two bridges on State Route 43 in Madison County.
At a recent meeting of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, T.L. Wallace Construction, of Columbia, was awarded the approximately $3.3 million construction contract.
“This is an important project in Madison County,” said Commissioner Dick Hall, chair, Mississippi Transportation Commission. “MDOT bridge inspectors discovered damage to two bridges, and replacement was the most economical option.”
This project will replace the two bridges on State Route 43 across the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The bridges will be replaced with precast box culverts.
Initially, weekend closures on State Route 43 will be required for cofferdams to be built. A cofferdam is a watertight enclosure that is pumped dry to allow construction to take place below the waterline. MDOT expects these weekend closures to begin in mid-April, however, no weekend closures will be allowed during holidays.
Once cofferdams are in place, State Route 43 will be completely closed to traffic for the removal of the bridges and placement of the box culverts. MDOT anticipates State Route 43 to be closed to traffic at the end of May. Completion of this project is scheduled for late summer.
“We understand that closing State Route 43 is going to be an inconvenience to the traveling public,” Hall said. “However, this project is necessary to increase safety, and we ask the traveling public’s patience as we work to replace these two bridges in a timely manner.”
Highway work zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that may be unfamiliar to some motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.
