MDOT signal supervisor Terry Barlow, from left, MDOT senior traffic signal technician Bryan Stewart, MDOT signal supervisor Ken Welch and MDOT traffic signal technician Glen Parish study the splice box near U.S. 61 North and Bowie Road while installing a new traffic light Tuesday. (Jenny Sevcik The Vicksburg Post)

[1/7/04]The traffic signal on U.S. 61 North at Bowie Road may again be operational late this week or early next week, said the state traffic engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

The signal was destroyed and its remnants removed Dec. 29 after the driver of a northbound 18-wheeler lost control of his truck and it struck one of the steel support poles.

State Traffic Engineer Wes Dean said Tuesday weather was good enough to work and the pole replacement was the first step. Dean said the signal could be back in operation late this week or early next week.

The department will then begin work on installing a light south of Bowie Road at U.S. 61 and Culkin Road.

MDOT announced plans in October to place a signal at Culkin, which has averaged a wreck a month for two years.

The area along U.S. 61 north is more heavily traveled since River Region Medical Center and Warren Central Intermediate School on Sherman Avenue opened. In addition, the residential areas northeast of the highway and Bowie Road continue to grow.