Residents informed on possible Dana Road project

Published 7:34 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The location of a proposed bypass road from U.S. 61 South to Halls Ferry Road that will also provide access to Vicksburg’s proposed sports complex has not been determined, South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour told residents along Dana Road Tuesday.

“We have no idea where this road is going,” he told the residents. He said the board has issued a request for proposals for engineering firms to do the feasibility studies, traffic studies and the design and engineering for the project. A committee, he said, will recommend the firm that will do the work.

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He said the RFPs are due Oct. 10.

Monsour met with about 15 Dana Road residents, who came to discuss their concerns and to ask that they be kept up-to-date with the progress of discussions involving the hiring of the engineering firm and the selection of the road. The residents said they did not oppose the sports complex project, but were concerned about the road’s location.

District 5 Supervisor John Carlisle, who represents the area, was also at the meeting.

The route selected by the engineers, Monsour said, will be the best route for the road.

Dana Road resident Michael Winkler said the main reason for the meeting was to clarify confusion over whether the city was going to build a road from the sports complex to Dana Road and to get confirmation that was not going to happen. He believed the group’s concerns were addressed.

“I think it came down to semantics,” he said. “If he (Monsour) said he’s going to watch it, then we’ll be watching him. I believe we’ve got a better understanding and a good start.”

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. has mentioned Dana Road as the possible location for the bypass road to alleviate traffic on Halls Ferry Road and provide access to the sports complex at the city’s property off Fisher Ferry Road. Fisher Ferry is not practical as an entrance and exit for the property.

News that Dana Road was under consideration for a bypass road has raised concerns by residents along the road and other roads intersecting with it. The residents were also concerned the city was not communicating with county officials about the project.

Monsour said he would keep Carlisle updated on the project.

“His ward and my district overlap,” Carlisle said. “Whether we like it or not, we’re going to (work together).”

“Once we go through the process and get the RFPs in and we proceed, we’ll be able to communicate better,” Monsour said. “Without that information coming forward, we’re really just sitting there wondering what’s going to happen now.”

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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