The Gordon Road bridge in rural Yazoo County has been closed for about a decade with a variety of obstacles from land ownership to funding. However, the project may finally be gaining some momentum.
Larry Dixon, county engineer, appeared before the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors with three required orders pertaining to the Gordon Road bridge project. County leaders addressed right-of-way compensation, a recycling agreement and a water line relocation in an effort to get the ball rolling on the much-needed project.
The first order of business involved the county making payments to three landowners for four tracts of land needed for the right-of-way.
“As soon as we get these executed deeds back, we will be ready to make payment to the landowners to purchase the right-of-way that we need for this project,” Dixon said.
The four tracts of land, which total 1.735 acres, will require a total payment of about $8,051 for purchase.
“You would spend more than that trying to do an eminent domain case,” added Jay Barbour, board attorney.
The county board approved the right-of-way land purchase with no opposition.
“Next, we have to pass a board order saying that the county will use all salvageable material from the existing bridge to other existing bridges in the county,” Dixon suggested, followed by the board’s approval.
Dixon also said there is a water line on the bridge through the Casey Jones Water Association. The estimate provided to him to relocate the water line is $18,960 for the entire project.
“This is just an estimate,” Dixon said. “When the utility contractor submits their invoice to Casey Jones Water, they turn around and submit it back to us, and we reimburse them.”
The board completed all the necessary orders to begin the bridge project. Dixon said, after bids are properly advertised, he anticipates the project beginning next spring.
In other county news, Dixon announced that he will be completing all current and existing engineering projects for the county. He suggested the board consider hiring Ron McMaster Jr. for future engineering projects. The board approved appointing McMaster, citing his work with the county in past projects.
