By By William F. West / community editor
Nov. 21, 2002
Motorists should soon have a less bumpy drive on Highway 493 from North Meridian to Bailey.
Crews from APAC Mississippi are laying down fresh asphalt on a nearly five-mile stretch from Broadmoor Shopping Mart to the junction of Highway 495.
APAC this summer was the lone bidder on the project at $565,314.
Ken Wallace, a Mississippi Department of Transportation district construction engineer, said the repaving is a temporary measure until MDOT can get Highway 493 widened from two to five lanes to Bailey.
Wallace said MDOT studies found business and residential growth in the area will require the transformation of Highway 493 from a rural, curvy route to a multi-lane highway.
He also said Highway 493 will be straightened from Bailey to Espey-Hedgpeth Road. However, he said, it's going to take MDOT about two years to acquire the property for the roadwork and relocation of utility lines.