COPIAH COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A bridge repair project is underway on State Route 28 over the Pearl River at the Copiah/Simpson County line.

Officials said the 80-year-old steel truss bridge was struck earlier this year by an over-height vehicle traveling westbound that caused significant structural damage and forced the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to close it.  

Several sway bracings were struck during the crash, damaging the load-bearing components of the bridge. Due to the large and complex design of the bridge, MDOT officials said a significant amount of preliminary engineering work had to be completed ensure the bridge does not fail during the repair.

“Most of the repair goes into the design and shoring, which is what supports the structure while the damaged parts are removed and replaced. The shoring transfers the weight of the structure into the piers and ultimately all the way to the ground,” said District 3 Engineer Andy McNair. “This bridge is over a large river, which makes transferring the loads all the way from the top of the bridge to the ground all the more challenging.”

Five shoring points have been designed and approved since the bridge was struck in March. The largest shore point, the lynchpin to the entire structure, will be held up by a large steel tower that is currently being fabricated off-site that will be delivered and erected in place early next year.

For the remainder of the closure, traffic should continue detouring via State Route 27, U.S. 84 and State Route 13. Drivers should allow for additional travel time and exercise caution while navigating the alternate routes.

The $1.5 million repair project was awarded to Southern Road & Bridge, LLC of Tarpon Springs, FL. Work is currently on schedule to be completed during the spring of 2025.