Engineers for Madison County’s three large road projects, Bozeman Road and Reunion 2 and 3, informed the Madison County Board of Supervisors all were on schedule.
Stan Wright with Neel Schaffer presented an update to the board on Bozeman Road stating the project is on track for the original construction start date of September. However, at this time, their timeline is dependent on the utility companies in the area that are relocating their utility poles.
“We are going to be dependent on the utility companies,” Wright said. “They are clearing (for relocation), and a lot of work is going on right now so that is good news.”
Eight utility companies are involved including Entergy who has 50 poles to relocate and AT&T who has $1.5 million worth of work to do.
“All of this was anticipated and in the budget,” Wright said.
The total cost for this first phase of the Bozeman Road project, which includes widening the road to look similar to Highland Colony Parkway from 463 to Reunion Parkway, is $25 million. The county will be responsible for $15-16 million after state and federal funds. The project also included a bike trail, which was required for federal funding, and intersection improvements, which will nearly double the traffic capacity. Once the construction begins, phase one will take an estimated 24 months to complete.
Phase two cannot begin until the completion of phase one. It will cost $12-13 million.
Wright expressed concern about the likelihood of construction costs going up although they haven’t made any adjustments to the current costs.
“We are a little cautious because of everything that is going on in the world,” Wright said. “We haven’t seen recent bids, but we are all a little concerned about how much materials and fuel are costing right now. We will keep an eye on that. I don’t think it will go insurmountable, but there could be a slight increase in construction. We should anticipate that.”
Darion Warren of Mississippi Engineering Group (MSEG) presented an update on the Reunion 2 project. They have finished the design on the 30-inch water line relocation that is necessary before starting construction. They will soon begin advertising for the relocation project so it can be completed prior to construction, which is projected to begin in October and take an estimated 24 months to complete. The water line relocation is estimated to take 120 days.
In regards to the roadway project itself, MSEG was waiting on a response regarding the RAISE grant application the county submitted last year. If they were awarded the grant, changes to the design would have to be made. However, word was received that the county did not receive the grant so they have proceeded with completing the design of the roadway and bridge project.
“Right now, we are still on track within what we projected to get the finalized design and get that to Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for any additional comments that they may have,” Warren said. “We anticipate getting that back to them by May of this year. That is our other critical path at this point is getting our final design to MDOT for review and any additional comment.”
The anticipated cost of the project has not changed. As it relates to the roadway and bridge, it is estimated to cost $18 million. The water line relocation will cost $1.9 million.
Brad Engels of Stantec Engineering updated the board on the Reunion 3 project saying the environmental document, the right of way acquisition, and the design for the project has been completed. Currently, they are obtaining permits and advertising for construction and engineering inspection services.
“We are shooting for sometime in August for construction,” Engels said.
The construction process for Reunion 3 will be 18 to 24 months long. The cost for the county will be about $15 million for the construction services on top of the $2 million already spent on the right of way acquisition and design services. The total cost is estimated to be $18 million.
The engineers will provide updates again when it is time for construction to begin on each project.
