A groove on the east approach of the U.S. 80 Mississippi River bridge has widened 2 inches since the last measurement in the spring, raising a safety matter for the Vicksburg Bridge Commission to consider on top of other ongoing matters.

Herman Smith, bridge superintendent, told commission members who met Wednesday that if the problem is not fixed soon, rail traffic will have to be halted because the problem is &#8220in very critical stages.”

Boh Brothers Construction, a New Orleans-based company, has had a contract to perform repairs on the east approach since before Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29. However, because of the storm, the company has not been able to get the work done.

Smith said he spoke with Boh Brothers last week and was told the company would be back on site in December.

The commission also discussed another construction project behind schedule because of Katrina. Members voted 3-1 to approve a 30-day extension for Riverside Construction to complete drainage-related work to stop sloughing on the east bank.

In a letter to ABMB Engineers, a representative for Riverside said the hurricane stopped barge traffic on the river, which kept the company from getting needed supplies.

Lynn Wolfe, a consultant with ABMB, said he recommended the extension because the company said in the letter that the project will be completed Dec. 16. Wolfe said Wednesday he believes the project is about 20 percent complete.

The vote for the extension was 3-1 with Thomas Hill, the newly appointed member, voting nay. He said Riverside needs to &#8220move this to top priority and make fast progress.” Chairman Robert Moss, Ray Wade and O.A. Williams voted for the extension.

The five-member commission is charged with operating the 75-year-old bridge for Warren County, which bought the span from private builders after World War II.

Since 1998, when the roadway was closed due to deterioration of the concrete roadbed, a series of controversies has arisen.

One discussed Wednesday was the simmering disagreement between Kansas City Southern and the commission over tolls.

KCS provides major support for bridge operations through per-car fees and commissioners said talked about buying their own counter instead of relying KCS figures.

Wade initiated the conversation after commission members said there was a noticeable increase in the number of trains crossing the Mississippi River bridge in October and only a slight increase in cars reported.

&#8220We’re averaging 18-19 trains a day, but just about 1,000 cars more,” Smith said.

No action was taken on the matter.

A billing dispute was also discussed. KCS also paid the commission $601,000 in back payments in mid-October, but the company did not make a September payment, Smith said. In turn, the commission is holding invoices from KCS for repairs the rail company made to the bridge.

&#8220They’re supposed to bill us in a certain manner,” Moss said. &#8220They’re still not billing us in the proper way.”

The commission also closed a portion of its meeting, saying the purpose was to discuss potential litigation.

In other business, the commission voted to allow the city to place a sewer line on the bridge commission’s right of way.

KCS is constructing another rail parallel to its existing line from Fairground Street to the North Frontage Road overpass and the city’s utility lines are on the railroad’s right of way. KCS is charging the city over $400,000 to move the utility lines for the city.