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Michael Baker says Deweese–Catlett Road work delayed by retaining walls, poor soils; right-of-way review set for fall
Summary
Jay Stewart, a Michael Baker representative, told the Madison County board that design work on the Deweese to Catlett Road project is progressing but faces schedule delays tied to retaining-wall design and poor soils.
Jay Stewart, a Michael Baker representative, told the Madison County board that design work on the Deweese to Catlett Road project is progressing but faces schedule delays tied to retaining-wall design and poor soils.
Stewart said the project team submitted field inspection plans the morning of the meeting and expects to meet with county staff to finalize right-of-way decisions. “I have not been informed of any big surprises, so that's always good,” he said.
The consultant said drainage work is about 75% complete, with locations of all inlets identified and cross drains designed; the team still needs to finalize pipe sizes and depths. Three retaining walls have preliminary designs and will require field review before the consultant recommends a preferred approach.
A draft environmental study has been completed and Stewart said he was awaiting the final report. He also reported receipt of a preliminary soil report and warned the site contains Yazoo clay. “As we all know, the dirt's not good,” Stewart said, adding that more than half of the job may require undercutting because of the clay.
Stewart said a preliminary traffic-control plan is ready for discussion with county staff. He asked to schedule the staff review in roughly three to four weeks, after which the consultant will proceed to final right-of-way plans and begin negotiating maps and deeds for property acquisition along the corridor.
On schedule, Stewart said the project’s original field-review submission was set for August 2025 but has been pushed to October 2025 because of retaining-wall work and other factors. He said the originally scheduled final right-of-way submittal in November 2025 will likely move to December 2025 or January 2026. When asked about construction timing, Stewart said a firm date has not been set but estimated construction would likely occur around mid-2027.
No formal votes or directives were recorded during the discussion; the consultant presented an informational update and requested staff review and subsequent meetings to finalize right-of-way plans and contract mapping.
