Dear editor,

The Fort Hill Drive community holds sentimental and historical value.

From a sentimental perspective, I have participated in raising a family upon this landmark, and I am still currently a resident of that region of the city. In addition, this region has a major historical value as its rich history has been meticulously displayed along the Fort Hill Drive thoroughfare leading to the Vicksburg National Military Park.

This well-documented history has ignited and continues to maintain an advocacy of visitors at the state, local and international level.

Currently, as individuals, families and tour buses attempt to approach the Military Park, as they begin their initial ascent up Fort Hill Drive, there is an inevitable potential danger that could block the passage up this road or the possibility of a fatal accident. There is an enormous dirt wall/hill that’s aggressively eroding. Commuters and visitors can clearly view tilted light poles with electrical lines and exposed tree routes busting through the dirt wall as they ascend to their destination.

It may not be long before another major rain or storm occurs with the potential to cause this enormous dirt wall to collapse.

Maybe it will collapse and block the route to the Military Park causing a disruption to the city’s tourism revenue, or worse, it could collapse a fatal accident leading to lawsuits.

Regardless of what may happen, city leaders currently have an opportunity to be preemptive and efficiently and effectively address the issue.

I respectfully request that the city of Vicksburg acquire the engineering and skilled labor to remedy what could be a major negative impact to the citizens, the city and its visitors.

 

Deneese Williams

Vicksburg