The project to lengthen the double left turn lanes on Lake Harbour Drive at U.S. Highway 51 in Ridgeland is expected to be completed before the end of April.
Milling on the stretch of Lake Harbour Drive and Highway 51 that is part of the project is being done during the evening hours and the final paving will also be done during the evening hours, said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee.
A final overlay, striping and signage work will complete the project.
“Fairly cooperative weather and quality contractors” are the reasons why the project, which earlier this year was expected to be completed by early summer, is on pace to be wrapped up in the next few weeks, he said.
The utility relocations and drainage work are done, the base layer of asphalt is down and a new segment of curb, gutter and sidewalk is in place on the south side of Lake Harbour Drive that connects residents of Christine Drive and Ralde Circle to the Ridgeland trail network.
When complete, the project will ensure traffic flows smoothly for drivers turning from Lake Harbour Drive on to U.S. Highway 51 and lessens the likelihood it will back up.
To make room at the intersection and secure the needed right-of-way, the city bought a small shopping center that was located on Lake Harbour Drive near Highway 51 in 2023 and tore it down.
The city purchased the Ridgeland Plaza property for about $1 million from Rainbow Development Corp. A liquor store, a coin-operated laundry, Tower Loan and a title loan group were occupants of the center, and they were moved to other nearby locations in Ridgeland.
Construction is funded primarily with a $1.035 million Local Public Agency federal grant, McGee said. Hemphill Construction won the bid for the project.
