Officials begin construction on Highway 589

LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. - Around early March the Pine Belt received over 10 inches of unexpected rainfall that has caused bridge and road damage on Highway 589.

Lamar County Road Manager Tommy Jones said, "There was some hold ups in the beginning due to all the different aspects of this flood situation."

Now officials are starting the construction process after Tanner Construction Company in Laurel was awarded the close to $1 million bid in May.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) requested emergency repair funds from the Mississippi Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

"The situation at that size, we were federally declared, no only was state money involved, but federal was involved too" said Jones.

The project will include the construction of a new bridge and repairs to 1500 feet. Jones mentioned there will be many benefits.

He said, "Not only will we have a better road, but for years 589 has worked like a dam against WPA and Little Creek area, now with this bridge, water will just flow on thru and it will never back up to where it was before."

Construction crews will use precast components to expedite the project. According to Jones the project is anticipated to finish December.