Pinehaven bridge project out for bids

By Randy Bell

When work begins next spring to replace a bridge in north Clinton, motorists can expect a lengthy detour around the construction zone. But building a temporary bridge on Pinehaven Drive at Bogue Chitto Creek to handle the traffic without a detour would have carried with it too many problems, says Consulting City Engineer Bill Owen.

“This option has been presented and discussed several times since 2016,” Owen says. “However, the additional costs for constructing a detour bridge, the additional properties required and the potential additional environmental impacts were deemed to be too costly.”

Ward 5 Alderwoman Beverly Oliver had asked about the possibility of a temporary bridge as the Board voted to advertise for bids for the project during its meeting on November 19. Those bids will be opened January 7, and the bridge replacement should get underway in March or April.

According to Owen, a detour bridge would cost about $400,000, and he says, typically, they’re installed only when alternate routes around the construction site aren’t feasible.

“In this case, although it may be slightly inconvenient for a time, there are adequate detours available along Highway 49 [and] Kickapoo, Wiliamson, Cynthia and Clinton-Tinnin roads. This is no different from every other bridge that has been installed in the city.”

While the Pinehaven bridge remains open to traffic for the time being, it’s posted with a three-ton weight limit. And, because of that, the Clinton School District is already rerouting its buses around the bridge, in the interest of safety.

Last year, MDOT awarded the City more than $5 million to replace the bridge, the money coming from the Emergency Road and Bridge Fund. Clinton has been told that a local cost share will not be needed, as long as the project comes in under estimate. Once a contractor is chosen, the company will have one hundred ninety-three working days to complete the project.