Lamar county bridge under reconstruction, detour route

LAMAR COUNTY, MS. - The Lamar County Board of Supervisors has awarded a bridge replacement contract to MGD Holdings of Carson, MS in the amount of $829,773.

Crews will work on reconstructing a 1950's built bridge on Purvis-Columbia road beginning Monday. Workers hope to raise the bridge's limit to 84 tons.

Lamar County Administrator Jody Waits said drivers must use the detour. “Being a major road has commercial impact, updating the bridge, will allow traffic to flow through it safely.”

Waits said, “They can expect a little inconvenience if they are traveling that road. “We are directing people through Luther, Saucier, to Carroll Road, around to Caney Church Road" said Waits.

He added, "We just want people to be aware of the traffic on the road.”

Officials have met with local school districts and emergency personnel to re-route their commute. The roadway will remain closed throughout the Summer months and into the Fall of 2017.