Motorists pass by City of Vicksburg Traffic Department workers Dwayne Wyatt, left, and Bert Day as they spray lines onto Clay Street Friday.(The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN)

[02/02/02]Clay Street got a touch-up Friday as city crews began painting fresh traffic lines between the Vicksburg National Military Park and Hope Street.

James “Bubba” Rainer, head of the city’s public works department, said the work was done as part of general maintenance of the street. Traffic was delayed off and on throughout the day on the busy thoroughfare because of lane closures.

He said crews will spend two or three more days working on Clay toward Mission 66, depending on the weather.

Ideally, temperatures need to be higher than 55 before paint is applied, but recent rains have limited the time work could be done, Rainer said.

Painting was also delayed by other projects and traffic problems along Clay. Other recent work along Clay Street has included the widening of Clay and Mission 66 and restriping lines at the entrance to the park.

Work is also planned for this year at Clay and Hope streets. Plans are to widen that intersection and put in new lights.

A survey of traffic signals and lanes along Clay Street is also currently under way. The study, which also includes Washington, Drummond and Cherry streets, will be used to improve the flow of traffic along those roads by recommending what traffic signals need to be removed or changed and what intersection needs to be changed.