Fortification Street rebuilding should soon begin - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Fortification Street rebuilding should soon begin

By Cheryl Lasseter - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - A project has been in the works along Fortification Street for years. It was supposed to start in 2008, then in 2009.

3 On Your Side has learned that the project has begun, but so far it's been mostly handshaking and paperwork.

The way Fortification Street looks today, with potholes, dips and cracks, is the same as it's looked for many years. It's a $15 million project that's now at the stage where the city is trying to get easements from all the residents and businesses along strip between State Street and I-55.

21 easement parties have been contacted, but the city has 26 more to go. After that, the project will go out for bid.

"It is about an 18-month project once we get the project started. Now, everything depends on how quick we can get those construction easements," said Public Works Director Thelman Boyd.  "I urge any citizens along that route to help us with that, cooperate to get those construction easements.  As soon as we get those, we can advertise for bid."

Boyd said another obstacle has resulted from the fact that Fortification Street is part of a historic district.  "Sometimes projects are harder to get going because of the review process we have to go through," he said.

The project will include street resurfacing, easing the slopes on some of the hills, sidewalk construction, lighting, and relocating all utilities underground.

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