Lake Harbour traffic project nears beginning

RIDGELAND — Work could begin as early as September on a $1.3 million project to widen the Lake Harbour intersection at U.S. 51.

The project could be finished before the end of the year, pending Mississippi Department of Transportation approval, city officials say.

A bid for $1,347,053.50 from Hemphill Construction to improve the intersection was approved by city officials on Tuesday. Public Works Director Alan Hart said the bid came in under the initial estimates of city engineer Chris Bryson.

“This is fully within the budget established,” Hart said.

Mayor Gene F. McGee said the issue should go before MDOT officials this week for concurring approval. Hart said following approval they could offer a notice to proceed and work could begin by the end of September. Hart said the contract time is for 60 working days.

“I know someone like Hemphill can do it in less,” Hart said.

Hemphill was the single firm that submitted a bid for the project. The city stopped accepting bids on Aug. 13 at 10 a.m.

Turning left from Highway 51 onto Lake Harbour is currently an issue. According to Bryson, the improvements hope to remedy that issue by widening Lake Harbour from Highway 51 to Christine Drive and making other improvements at the intersection.

Eastbound Lake Harbour traffic turning south onto U.S. 51 stacks up often because the turn lanes are too short was another issue flagged.

The improvements will “accommodate the intersection’s increased traffic flow,” Bryson said in a memo earlier this year.

The project will utilize $1,035,000 in federal grant funding. The grant is expected to cover 75 percent of the project. The city is expected to provide the remaining 25 percent.