Vicksburg makes plea to U.S. for a bridge to somewhere
Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield led Brad Davis, state office director for U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, and a group of local officials onto a closed Washington Street bridge Wednesday morning in a bid to show how vital the rail overpass is to business, traffic flow and safety in the city — and also to ask for help in finding roughly $3 million to get the stalled project under way.
“This is not a bridge to nowhere,” Winfield told Davis. “This is a major thoroughfare and our citizens and visitors really depend on this bridge to access our entire city. There are a plethora of reasons we need to get this bridge replaced.”
Joining Winfield to give Davis an earful were Warren County Board of Supervisors President Richard George, state Reps. Alex Monsour and Briggs Hopson III, as well as Mississippi Department of Transportation District Engineer Kevin Magee and a number of city officials, including Public Works Director Bubba Rainer, North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and City Attorney Lee Davis Thames Jr.
“Everyone says the project they’re working on is a big deal. So, actually coming out to see them gives us a better appreciation for what the projects really are, and it puts us in a better position to advise Senator Cochran,” said Davis. “It’s clear this is not just a convenience issue.”
Vicksburg Post
9/24/9
Magnolia Tribune
