Madison County says federally funded Yandell Road intersection work could start by 2027

Lon Burt of Benchmark Engineering and Surveying gave Madison County officials a brief update on the federally funded Yandell Road intersection improvements, saying environmental review and property acquisition must finish before construction can begin.

Burt told the county board that Headwaters has submitted the cultural-resources portion of the environmental study to MDOT and that the package is expected to be with MDAH for about 45 to 90 days. "We expect approval on the environmental ... which is the critical path to starting right away," Burt said. He added that once environmental approval is obtained, staff will move into right-of-way acquisition for the parcels adjacent to the intersection.

The project team reported a field inspection with MDOT on Oct. 7 and said design work is proceeding in the office. Burt said Benchmark is coordinating with Wagner and Pickering on the west and east ends of the project so the new work ties into existing roadways as planned. He estimated acquisition would take about six months after environmental approval and said the team initially identified 7 to 10 parcels as potential takes but later said they had "set up 10 parcels" and are trying to narrow that number.

Board members asked about timing. Burt said construction should start no later than 2027 and that work would likely take about nine months to a year. No formal vote or funding decision was recorded during the update.

The update indicates the project remains contingent on state historic/archaeological review and successful right-of-way negotiations; county officials and the project team will continue design and acquisition work before advertising for construction.