Enacted in 1976, HB 1475 provided for construction and financing of structures to cross the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and serve five existing federal highways and five state highways. The State Highway Commission was delegated the responsibility of construction by this law. Frankland and Lienhart, Consulting Engineers, were employed by the commission to assume full responsibility for the design, planning, engineering, and construction supervision of the ten bridges authorized in HB 1475.
Upon analysis, the contract was not in the public interest nor did it comply with legislative intent. The two members of the commission who voted to execute the contract acted in violation of Highway Department standard operating procedures and commission orders. Further, the feasibility study required by HB 1475 was not undertaken. The PEER Committee recommended that the contract be rescinded and that the department do the engineering work in-house. This would result in a savings to the state of $2,588,000.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.