Plans to indefinitely shut down a bridge on Shands Bottom Road in Senatobia have been delayed.
Mayor Greg Graves said certain procedures must be followed and align with state regulations before the bridge can be closed.
“It’s more complex than just putting up some signs,” Graves explained. “Our engineer has filed the appropriate paperwork, and we are awaiting delivery of the signage we ordered.”
Graves said the city also intends to place rock barricades at each entrance to the bridge for safety purposes until leaders can determine if it’s feasible to replace or repair it. Money for the project would likely come out of the city’s pocket since grant or state aid funds aren’t currently available, according to Graves.
The Senatobia Board of Aldermen unanimously agreed Tuesday, Dec. 16 to close the bridge for the second time in five years after it was deemed unsafe during a routine inspection.
The city received a critical finding report Wednesday, Dec. 3 from the Office of State Aid Road Construction (OSARC) stating the Shands Bottom Road bridge spanning over Senatobia Creek near Interstate 55 south of BankFirst Yards Sportsplex has severe erosion issues undermining both ends of the bridge in the vehicle wheel path.
A critical-findings report from OSARC states an erosion hole measuring eight-feet long, four-feet wide and six-feet deep was discovered in the southwest corner of the bridge near previously placed riprap. The report also says erosion is encroaching on the roadway causing asphalt failure within the curb-to-curb driving surface and has undermined asphalt up to 10 inches toward the roadway centerline.
In December 2020, Senatobia city leaders agreed to close the Shands Bottom Road bridge after erosion issues were uncovered on the east end during an inspection by OSARC. The bridge reopened six months later after a polyfoam product was installed to correct the problem.
