The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 14 to authorize emergency repairs to the Bill Hubbard Road bridge (SA61-25) after recent inspections found deteriorating pile supports and evidence that heavy dirt and logging trucks had been using the structure. County engineers said the bridge was posted at a 5-ton limit and then closed for safety while staff evaluated repair and replacement options.

County Engineer (Parker) told the board that "we made the decision Friday to post it at 5 tons" when inspectors observed trucks crossing, and that some piles show significant deterioration. Engineers estimated that if repairs can be limited to splicing and shoring piles, the work "could be under $200,000," but a full replacement could cost in excess of $1.4 million.

The board discussed options including an initial repair to restore limited capacity and a longer-term replacement. Parker said the bridges older deck construction complicates repairs because removing and reinstalling decks risks breaking components that are no longer readily available; new decks and cap replacements can increase cost substantially. He noted the county could move the bridge to a 12-month inspection cycle if needed, but that continued heavy loads would accelerate deterioration.

After discussion about funding availability and bridge reserves, a motion was made to authorize repair work immediately and to replace the bridge if repairs proved infeasible; the board carried the motion and declared the situation an emergency to allow expedited contracting and use of emergency bridge funds. Supervisors referenced an internal bridge reserve and cash-on-hand to cover emergency repairs while longer-term planning and state aid options are explored.

The board directed staff to pursue immediate repairs where practical, coordinate with contractors who inspected the structure, and return with cost and schedule details for any replacement work if the initial repairs cannot restore safe, load-bearing capacity.

Next steps: staff will solicit contractor proposals under the emergency authorization, begin pile shoring where feasible, and report back to the board on timeline, estimated completion, and any additional funding needs.