Martin Bluff Road Widening Project set to resume work under a new supplemental agreement

Gautier, Mississippi; December 15, 2023 – The Martin Bluff Road Widening Project is set to recommence work under a supplemental agreement to be approved at the Gautier City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 19th.

Unforeseen conditions in the field, particularly the discovery of unsuitable materials at the project site, prompted modifications to the contract.

The agreement addresses increased project quantities, necessitating an adjustment to the project timeline. The contract value experiences a total increase of $1,221,986.10, encompassing additional excess excavation, borrow excavation, and essential maintenance of traffic.

To accommodate the additional work, 65 working days have been added to the contract, extending the contractor’s commitment by 165 days.

Approval from the Mississippi Transportation Commission and formal execution by the contractor and its surety are confirmed. The Gautier City Council will consider the supplemental agreement on Tuesday, December 19th. Work is scheduled to resume on Monday, December 18, 2023.

In the initial phase, the contractor will focus on excavating unsuitable materials and replacing them with high-quality fill, ensuring the project’s overall quality.

During this period, residents can anticipate a daily one-lane road closure for the next three weeks on Martin Bluff Road from Collingswood Blvd. to Homestead Blvd.

While the original contract extends through the end of July, contractors estimate completion approximately within one year.

Emphasizing the City’s commitment to the project’s completion, City Manager Paula Yancey remarked, “We are ready to move forward with contractors and engineers to propel the Martin Bluff Road Project ahead. While the project has encountered challenges, we are excited about the prospect of witnessing its successful completion.”

Mayor Casey Vaughan echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re eager to move ahead, and bring this project to fruition. It’s our commitment to continue enhancing infrastructure and ensuring a better quality of life for our residents. I continue to stand behind our local Gautier businesses dedicated to this project.”