Project to repair Blackjack Road moving forward

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – If you want to see people take sides and get hopping mad, just mention Blackjack Road in Oktibbeha County.

The county road runs adjacent to Mississippi State University. Large apartment communities are also on either side.

The road, originally built as a way to get from farm to market, now carries hundreds of cars each day. And that wear and tear has created erosion and potholes.

Approval for property easements is final.

Now the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors has closed advertising for repair bids.

They hope to award a contract in early February.

District 5 Supervisor Joe Williams said a lot of work and planning has gone into this much-needed project.

I am really excited. We have received phone calls often about when are we going to repair Blackjack Road. So now this is an answer to a lot of people’s questions on when are we getting starte4d and when are we going to get the project finished,” said Williams.

Williams says the total cost of repairs is estimated at more than $7 million dollars.

Money for the project is coming from Oktibbeha County, Mississippi State and the state of Mississippi.