There was a pleasant surprise Thursday when Vicksburg officials opened the only bid for a project to widen and repave a four-mile section of North Washington Street.

At a little over $1.3 million, the bid from APAC Mississippi undercut a cost assessment of the project by ABMB Engineers, said public works director Bubba Rainer. “We had been a little worried about the cost of asphalt,” Rainer said.

The state-funded project extends from the entrance to the Port of Vicksburg at Haining Road to the junction with U.S. 61. Truck traffic is heavy in the area.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said the repaving also fills commitments made to area residents.

“I promised the Kings citizens six years ago that we would work diligently to get that road repaired,” Leyens said. “A lot of commercial traffic goes over that road.”

Also Thursday, blues and R&B star Bobby Rush dropped in to speak about his message for young people and his appearances in several Vicksburg classrooms.

Rush spoke with area students as part of a Mississsippi Prevention Services initiative encouraging young people to believe in themselves and their own abilities. Rush spoke about growing up poor in Louisiana and said he understands the struggles facing many youths in Vicksburg. Rush said he wants to hold himself up as an example for hard work and faith in yourself.