Four of the 13 bridges the Attala County Board of Supervisors submitted for funding through the $250 million state Emergency Reconstruction Bridge Repair Fund will be funded.
Bridge Numbers 10 and 11 on Attala Road 4002 received $ 1,658,625 in funding.
Bridge Number 179 on Highway 407 was authorized for $1,596,580 in funding
Bridge Number 160 on Attala Road 2120 received $648,628.75 in funding
The Mississippi Transportation Commission announced funding for 163 Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund (ERBRF) projects on Tuesday morning.
In a press release, the Commission said the approved projects will repair or replace 200 bridges severely restricting mobility, including 99 that are currently closed and another 91 that have posted weight restrictions.
“The Transportation Commission unanimously approved the selected projects from a pool of 690 applications totaling nearly $1 billion,” Commissioner Mike Tagert of the Northern Transportation District said in the release. “Although all applications contained important projects, those awarded will provide the greatest benefit to the state’s crippled infrastructure.”
Projects were reportedly chosen based on metrics that took into account bridge condition, project readiness, traffic volume, mobility, and economic impact. Each application was analyzed and ranked based on these metrics and other criteria established through joint meetings with the ERBRF Advisory Board as well as survey information received from local governments.
“The Transportation Commission worked closely with MDOT and the advisory board to ensure the most effective statewide allocation of funds which improves public safety and strengthens Mississippi’s economy,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “The selected projects will replace closed and posted bridges, reopening many agricultural and commerce corridors as well as providing safe passage for emergency vehicles and school buses.”
The Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund was created by the Mississippi Infrastructure Modernization Act (MIMA) of 2018, which was signed into law during the 2018 Special Legislative Session. It authorized issuance of up to $250 million in bonds to repair public roads and bridges in the state.
“While we were not able to fully fund the $1 billion in requested applications, it is a start to addressing the state’s critical infrastructure needs,” said Commissioner Dick Hall, chair, Mississippi Transportation Commission. “We want to thank Gov. Bryant and the legislature for this is a step in the right direction. However, we need sustained funding to address all deteriorating bridges and crumbling roadways.”
In addition to the approved projects, the Supervisors had requested funds for:
Bridge Number 78 on Road 1215 ($499,000)
Bridge Number 92 on Road 5001 ($473,000)
Bridge Number 127 on Road 5233 ($408,000)
Bridge Number 147 and 148 on Road 3217 ($3,534,000)
Bridge Number 143, 144, 145, & 146 on Road 3221 ($3,956,000)
Since the board submitted the funding requests, federal inspectors closed Bridge Number 78 on Road 1215, bringing the total of local closed bridges to six. The project did not receive funding in this recent set of allocations.
Other currently closed bridges include the Crooked Creek bridge on Attala Road 4004 (Bridge 4), the Redder Branch bridge on Attala Road 3231 (Bridge 180), and the Zilpha Creek bridge on Attala Road 3217 (Bridge 148).
Several months ago, two bridges on Seneasha Creek on Attala Road 4002 (Bridges 10 and 11) were closed. County Supervisor Kary Ellington made some repairs in the hope of having them reopened, but after reexamination, inspectors kept both closed.
