By Rupert Howell

Supervisors accepted three bids on Panola County road projects totaling over $1.1 million during Monday’s meeting at the Second Panola County District Courthouse in Batesville.

The State-Aid Road bids were accepted while other projects on Westbrook, and Lawrence Bros. Roads were discussed and moved forward on the county’s “to-do” list.

Bids accepted Monday included Lehman-Roberts apparent low bid of $401,339 for overlay of Curtis Road, Endevco’s bid of $268,200.95 for  bridge replacement on Orwood Road and  Joe Magee Company’s bid of $465,079 for two bridge replacements on the north end of Panola Road.

Another bid for construction of a hangar at Panola Airport was approved at the request of engineer Larry Britt who stated that the county’s share of the $336,682 project would amount to approximately $20,000. 

Heritage Construction was apparent low bidder on that project that is being funded with an FFA/MDOT grant.

Engineer Stephen Gray with Elliot Britt engineers reported that the paving project at Batesville Courthouse had gotten more complicated when “Jello” was found beneath the top layer of soil.

Road manager Lygunnah Bean later said that between the parking lot and bridge right-of-way procurement, his budget was going to be spent. (Supervisors approved a $7,500 payment for an easement to the Robison family for work on Lawrence Bros. Road bridge.)

Workers had removed the top layer of soil at the courthouse parking site placing a large mound of earth at South Panola’s stadium parking area. Monday, that dirt was being placed back on the parking site after the “Jello” type soil was removed.

Work on a ditch near Farrish Gravel Road  and Highway 6 west was considered either on private property or MDOT right-of-way according to Bean who said he