Arkabutla Dam Road reopens after critical repair planning

UPDATE: The Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday reports the roadway across Arkabutla Dam is back open and the road below the dam is now closed again.  It will remain closed for the duration of the project and repairs. However, there might be a time it reopens if there is a need to do more work that requires the Army Corps of Engineers to close that for safety and reroute them to below the dam.

ORIGINAL STORY

ARKABUTLA, Miss. — Drivers who use the road across the top of Arkabutla Dam will need to find an alternate route starting Monday, Oct. 27. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District announced the road will be closed for approximately two weeks for critical inspection work.

The closure is necessary for crews to perform drilling and inspections. This work is a key step in gathering data for the design of a new intake structure and outlet, which are part of a long-term plan to address ongoing dam safety issues.

During the two-week closure, all traffic will be rerouted to the road located below the dam.

USACE officials also remind the public that all recreation areas below the dam remain closed to the public for safety reasons. These closures will remain in effect while the repair and planning operations are underway.