In response to a legislative request, PEER examined the Highway Department’s repairs and erosion control during and subsequent to construction of a 9.2-mile section of U. S. 78 east of Tupelo. PEER reviewed the construction of a bridge between the Peppertown and Fawn Grove exits in Itawamba County over U. S. 78 which terminates at the end of one span at a cultivated field covering the former location of a county road which connects to the other end of the bridge.
PEER found that the pavement repairs and erosion control measures were necessary because of circumstances beyond the control of the Highway Department and that the department’s approach was cost-effective.
The department built the bridge over the highway with the expectation that the Itawamba County Board of Supervisors would re-open the county road which the bridge was designed to serve. To date, the board has not acted to re-open the road, resulting in the bridge being unusable for the purpose for which it was intended.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.