NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY TO CLOSE 8-MILE SECTION SOUTH OF RIDGELAND, MS

Date: March 13, 2012
Contact: Chief of Maintenance Barry Boyd, [phone]

The National Park Service will be closing an 8-mile section of the Natchez Trace Parkway to vehicular traffic on March 14, 2012, due to a major safety hazard that has developed near milepost 94.8 between Ridgeland, MS, and Clinton, MS. Engineers have identified the potential for collapse of the roadway due to instability in the embankment. Over the past year, several emergency repairs were completed; however, the section has continued to deteriorate to the point where it is unsafe for vehicular traffic.

Detour: The closure will be in effect between I-55 and US 49. Additional travel time should be less than 10 minutes. Get the detour map here.

· Southbound traffic will exit the Parkway at I-55 South (MP 101.1), to I-220, to US 49 North, where traffic may reenter the Parkway.

· Northbound traffic will exit the Parkway at US 49 South (MP 92.9), to I-220 North, to I-55 North, where traffic may reenter the Parkway.

Duration:

The National Park Service is working with the Federal Highway Administration to make repairs to the roadway section. The duration of the closure could exceed one year.

Bicycle Traffic:

Bicycle traffic will not be affected by the closure. Engineers believe that a portion of one lane can safely remain open for bicycle traffic. This is subject to change dependent on future assessments of the road condition.