Graysport Bridge Is Still Safe To Travel After Weekend Damage
Grenada County District Three Supervisor Columbus Hankins and his maintenance crew discuss what steps to take on the Graysport Crossing Bridge pounded by the rising Grenada Lake. The Graysport Crossing bridge is an important travel route for residents of Yalobusha and Grenada counties who live between the Skuna River and Yalobusha River. The area is already cut off on the north side after the Gum’s Crossing bridge was closed in February, 2019, following damage from historic flooding.
By REGGIE ROSS
Staff Writer Grenada Star
Rising waters are yet again taking a toll on the mile long Graysport Crossing Bridge in Gore Springs in Grenada County.
District Three Supervisor Columbus Hankins and district maintenance workers monitored the bridge Sunday to find a spot of erosion where the rising Grenada Lake and waves have continued to pound the bridge.
“We’re not going to close the bridge, but we’re having close observation of it in the meantime,” Hankins said. “There’s a lot of water out here and we’ll do what we can right now. It’s still safe to travel.”
Workers placed orange cones at two of the affected areas warning motorists that travel the area throughout the day.
Engineer Karl Grubb said with the levels the lake currently stands, waves have caused some washout areas but the bridge is still safe.
“What they have there is one of the corners of that north abutment has washed some,” Grubb said. “Monday morning crews were out there fixing that area.”
Grubb said motorists should be careful however when traveling the bridge.
“There’s some work that needs to be done on the shoulder, so drivers should be very careful there,” Grubb said. “The lake is high and this is all coming from those strong and powerful waves.”
Hankins said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built portions of the road up in 1975 and that is the portion that is affected.
“I remember that, before the Corps built that part of the bridge up, water was almost coming over the bridge. The lake is reaching historic levels the past couple of years and water is a powerful element,” Hankins said.
Last year, Grenada County received $7,316,040 that will go toward repairs to Graysport Crossing Road.
Hankins said the money will go to replace the entire bridge.
Please give update article regarding Graysport Crossing Bridge and Gums Crossing Bridge status of projected dates when replacement will occur.