Removal of Damaged Timber Underway

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has begun a $1.6-million timber debris removal contract on Interstate 59 in this South Mississippi county. Crews are engaged in the removal of timber that was damaged during Hurricane Katrina last August.

The work involves removing damaged or dead trees along 12 miles of I-59, from mile marker 15 through 27. District Six engineer Ricky Lee said this final interstate timber debris removal contract addresses one of the most heavily damaged sections of highway in Mississippi.

"Contractors with MDOT are working diligently to remove trees that pose a hazard to the driving public,” said Lee.

Work on the Pearl River County debris removal contract, which was awarded to Holliday Construction of Poplarville, is expected to last about three months.