NATCHEZ — With a sigh-worthy view in place, the Bridge of Sighs is now scheduled to get some swoon-worthy landscaping.

The Natchez Preservation Commission recently approved landscaping plans for the bluff area near the bridge, which spans Roth Hill Road. David Gardner, former city engineer who spearheaded the bridge’s development and is now seeing the project through, said the Natchez-Adams County Community Alliance would pay for the landscaping.

However, before the alliance bids out the landscaping project, Gardner said he wants to ensure the bridge’s beautification will be well maintained for years to come.

“It’s important for us to have a long-term maintenance plan for the bridge,” said Gardner, adding that the landscaping plans also include an irrigation system. “We want that area to be beautiful year-round.”

Once the Natchez Board of Aldermen confirms that landscaping would be maintained, Gardner said the next step would be to award a bid for the project and then begin planting this fall.

“Our goal is to start the process sometime in November or October,” he said. “I’ve been told that’s the best time to plant.”

The landscaping plan currently includes several small trees, shrubs, colorful crape myrtles, roses, azaleas and hydrangea.

Gardner said the proposed irrigation system would be set on an automatic timer, requiring little upkeep by the public works department.

“The first phase of the project would be installing the irrigation (system), and the second part would be planting,” Gardner said. “The probability of those plants surviving would be pretty good if we have irrigation out there.”

Gardner, who serves as co-chair of the alliance, said beautifying the bluff area has been a big goal of the Community Alliance.

“We’ve taken a key interest in the bluff, especially with the bridge,” he said. “I’m really proud of what has been done out there, and I want to make sure it stays nice.”

The Adams County Master Gardeners have also had a hand in landscaping the bridge, Gardner said.

“They approved some of the landscaping to make sure it would look nice,” he said. “With the addition of some plants, I think it will add a lot to the bridge.”

The bridge, which officially opened for public use July 16, is a replica of one that stood in the same location in the 1800’s. To date, the city has spent approximately $670,000 on the Bridge of Sighs with the majority of funds coming from grants and lease payments from the Magnolia Bluffs Casino.