Commissioner: Public Input Is Vital
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Keli Lindsey was alarmed after seeing severe decay in the structural support for a bridge on Hwy. 32 that crosses Long Branch. – Image by Keli Lindsey
LONG BRANCH – A 73 year-old bridge that spans Long Branch on Hwy. 32 between Oakland and Water Valley was inspected Monday and deemed safe for travel. The inspection was prompted by video posted on social media Friday afternoon that showed severe decay on multiple pilings underneath.
Northern District Commissioner John Caldwell told the Herald that he contacted multiple Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) engineers Friday night after he was contacted about the social media post. Caldwell also said the bridge had been inspected approximately two months earlier.
“We wanted to check it again to be sure it was safe,” he reported.
Caldwell explained that additional support structure had been added under the bridge to bypass the damaged areas. The commissioner also said preliminary work has started on replacing the bridge, estimating the replacement could start in 2027 or 2028.
Photographer Keli Lindsey was in the area for a photo shoot Friday when she noticed obvious signs of decay including two concrete supports that are no longer in place and several other connecting metal supports that are severely rusted. She shared videos of the damage on Facebook. Yalobusha County Board of Supervisors
President Cayce Washington then reached out to Caldwell and a local MDOT manager with the videos.
The commissioner stressed the importance of public input regarding possible concerns with roads and bridges.
“I appreciate the eyeballs, obviously we can’t be everywhere all the time. If you see something, say something.” Caldwell told the Herald. “Several people tagged me in the post and I immediately went to work to make sure it is a safe bridge.”
The commissioner cited the Gums Crossing bridge on County Road 221 as an example of the importance of public input. Damage to the bridge following historic flooding in 2019 was first spotted by anglers in the lake who reported it.
“That bridge ultimately collapsed after we closed it,” Caldwell said.
The commissioner also provided an update about another bridge in the county on Hwy. 51 that spans the Yocona River. The bridge has been closed since April, 2022. Caldwell said the replacement bridge project will go out for bid in January.
