A Mississippi welcome sign near in Vicksburg. Credit: TravelingOtter/FlickrThe Mississippi Department of Transportation has requested emergency funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to help pay for road and bridge repairs necessary after recent flooding.
According to MDOT, flood waters have left several roads and bridges closed in Lamar, Tate and Warren counties. Gov. Phil Bryant has declared a state of emergency for the state.
“The recent flooding has forced MDOT to close roads and bridges due to safety concerns. We are working with FHWA to secure emergency relief funds torepair and reopen roads in affected areas as soon as possible,” MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath said. “… The safety of the traveling public is our number one priority. We ask for patience as we continue disaster response and work to repair Mississippi’s transportation infrastructure.”
The department said drivers in the state should plan alternate routes to avoid the closed roads, traffic delays and congestion the closures will cause. MDOT said the following roads and bridges have been closed until they can be repaired:
- Mississippi 589 between Belvue and Purvis at Burnt Bridge Road in Lamar County
- U.S. Highway 51 at the Coldwater River Bridge in Tate County
- Mississippi 822 (Old Highway 80) approximately three miles west of Mississippi 27 in Warren County
More information can be found at www.MDOTtraffic.com and on the MDOT Traffic smartphone app.
