Natchez Trace to close for possibly one year in Jackson metro area

[golden eagle]

Between Clinton and Ridgeland:

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120313/NEWS/120313024/Portion-Natchez-Trace-Parkway-close?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s

The National Park Service will begin Wednesday what probably will be a more than year-long closure of an 8-mile section of the Natchez Trace Parkway between Ridgeland and Clinto to motorists because of the potential of a roadway collapse.

Engineers have identified the safety hazard near milepost 94.8, the result of instability in the embankment. Emergency repairs were completed over the past year. But the section has continued to deteriorate to the point where it is unsafe for vehicular traffic, according to a news from Natchez Trace Parkway.

The park service is working with the Federal Highway Administration to make repairs. The duration of the closure could exceed one year.

Engineers believe a portion of one lane can safely remain open for bicycle traffic.