Work is underway on a long-awaited improvement project near Catfish Alley.
City engineer Kevin Stafford told The Dispatch on Monday that work is currently ongoing to put utilities underground near two alleys between Catfish Alley and the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center. The alleys flank Jones Cafe — one is on the north side, the other on the South.
The city received a $160,000 day grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the project in May 2014. The grant comes with a $40,000 match from the city. The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau pledged $30,000 of that, and the city pledged the remaining $10,000.
The project is meant to improve pedestrian access between Catfish Alley and the Tennessee Williams Home.
Stafford said little work will be needed to improve the southern walkway. A walkway and an ADA-accessible ramp will be added in the north alley.
Stafford said MDOT hasn’t approved the project’s construction bid for advertisement. He said that should happen soon, allowing the city to take bids in May and get approval for construction in June.
The project has a 60-day work contract and should be finished in August or September, according to Stafford.
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