Railroad Delays Repairs On Bridge
The bridge on Hwy. 51 that spans the railroad just north of Tillatoba has been closed almost two weeks. – Photo by David Howell
The map (above) shows the location of the bridge between Oakland at the top and Tillatoba at the bottom. The satellite image (below) and the map are courtesy of Google Maps.
OAKLAND – Repairs on a closed Hwy. 51 bridge are on hold awaiting approval of a contract with Grenada Railway, LLC.
The bridge, which spans the railroad about three miles south of the Hwy. 32 and Hwy. 51 intersection, has been closed since Jan. 22.
“Because the bridge is over a railroad track, MDOT has to have an agreement with the railroad on the work,” MDOT spokesman Jason Scott told the Herald. “MDOT has drawn up a contract and is waiting to hear back from the attorneys for the railroad.”
Scott emphasized that the plans are drawn up and ready to go. “We are just waiting on the railroad company to send us that signed and approved agreement back.”
The job will be let within a day of getting the contract back, he added. “Once we get started, the repairs should take no longer than about two weeks.”
Warning signs have been placed north and south of the bridge to alert motorists. MDOT is directing all commercial vehicles to I-55 for the duration of the closure and advises motorists to use I-55 or seek alternative routes.
