WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: County bridge construction delay angers residents

County bridge construction delay angers residents

By Roslyn Anderson - bio | email

UTICA, MS (WLBT) - A Hinds County bridge replacement is causing headaches for some Utica residents who complain that the work is long overdue for completion.

But county officials blame rainy weather for prolonging the project.

James Daniels of Utica is upset that work on the bridge on Tommy Ford Road off Highway 27 is at a standstill.

"You can see what they left," said Daniels as he pointed to the giant crane and materials a few yards beyond two large orange barricades.

The road which connects Mathes Drive and the highway has been closed since June 8th inconveniencing dozens of area residents.

"We have to travel three to four miles out of the way and come back around. We go this way to take the kids to school. The school buses have to come all the way around over yonder," said Daniels.

The 76-year-old lives about a mile away and would normally travel Tommy Ford Road two to three times a day.

"They haven't been here for two weeks, nobody. I've come down here two, three times a week just to look. There's nobody down here," said the eight year area resident.

Hinds County Public Works Director Carl Frelix said weeks of recent rains have caused construction to halt temporarily.

"The project will be completed in approximately one month from now. The contractor is completing the structure that holds the bridge," said Frelix.

According to the public works director, MDOT's Office of State Aid funded the county project which costs $147,825.00.

An annual inspection of the old bridge, which crossed Kelly Creek, revealed that it was dangerous and in need of replacement.

County officials said pending any other weather delays the project should be finished in December.

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