Several projects around the city of Picayune either have begun, or are scheduled for sometime this year.
The long awaited paving of the missing section of Highland Parkway began Thursday. Huey Stockstill Jr. of HSI Inc., the contractor conducting the work, expects the paving project to be done by early next week. He felt confident that whatever his crews could not finish by Friday, could be finished on Monday, weather permitting.
HSI is also conducting the work on the Richardson-Ozona Road relocation project. Stockstill said work is currently at a standstill until the area dries up, but once it does the plan is to put in about four foot of fill to bring the base of the road to the proper height.
Drainage features will be installed by the county to prevent flooding, Stockstill said.
The plan is to have the project completed by the end of the year.
Work is also planned to complete the small section of Memorial Boulevard that has yet to be repaved. Stockstill expects work on that project to start sometime after a preconstruction meeting is held in the next 45 days.
Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero expects the Memorial Boulevard project to also be completed by the end of the year. Not only will the project add curb and gutter to the area, but also upgrade the stoplights at the on and off ramps along the highway.
“I’m glad MDOT put the money aside so we can start that project,” Pinero said.
Another project underway is the construction of a greenhouse at the city barn. When complete, the greenhouse will allow existing city staff in the grounds and beautification department to grow their own flowers for use in the many flowerbeds around the city.
“They do a lot and a wonderful job,” Pinero said.