Flyover work to finish by end of month

Published 12:10 am Saturday, November 2, 2013

NATCHEZ — All major work on the flyover located at the intersection of Seargent S. Prentiss and D’Evereux drives should be finished by the end of the month.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Spokesman Michael Flood said after the major work is finished, crews will complete cleaning up the site and other small work.

“There will be lots of little things to do, putting up lights and things,” he said.

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MDOT officials previously said the project would be completed by the end of October or early November.

“There were lots of little details that have to be worked out, so now it is going to be toward the end of (November),” Flood said.

Crews have been paving the roadways near the flyover in recent weeks, which has resulted in traffic delays for motorists.

Flood said the lane closures associated with that work change on a day-to-day basis and are not necessarily scheduled. He said, therefore, it would be difficult to give drivers a heads-up about lanes being closed.

Flood asked that drivers be patient as MDOT crews worked to complete the project.

Construction of the flyover was scheduled to wrap up in September 2012, but the project was delayed because part of the concrete did not set properly, and scaffolding fell on part of the bridge deck. The contractor doubled its crews and worked night shifts to get caught up.

One of the major objectives of the $19.7 million flyover, MDOT officials have said, is to direct 18-wheeler truck traffic over the intersection instead of forcing truck drivers to make a hard left turn.

The flyover should also shorten delay times at the intersection.