Construction of a new boat ramp at the LeTourneau landing on the Mississippi River is expected to begin before the end of the month.

Warren County supervisors awarded a $52,154 contract Monday to Fordice Construction to build the new concrete ramp over an existing asphalt ramp that has begun to deteriorate. The project will include adding rocks along the bank for erosion control.

The bid was the lowest of seven received.

“We need to take advantage of this while the water is lower,” county engineer John McKee said.

The project is the first phase of a Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks program to replace the single ramp with a high- and low-water ramp river access on the east bank of the river south of Vicksburg. A $345,665 grant to Warren County is funding the project.

Along with residents using the ramp at LeTourneau for recreational access to the river, the site is used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local law enforcement and by area businesses.

The second phase of the endeavor includes plans for a paved parking area and lighting. Construction is expected to be completed next summer.

In other matters the Warren County Board of Supervisors:

Passed a resolution to seek a $70,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for the county’s tire disposal program at the county highway department on U.S. 61 North.

Approved the new road name of Vindication Lane at 9233 Mississippi Highway 3 and address change on Freetown Road to 45 Birdsong Road.

Approved utility permits for BellSouth to bury a cable along Blossom Lane and for the Culkin Water District to attach a water main to the new Redwood Bridge.

Approved Nov. 23 and 24 as Thanksgiving holidays for county employees.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors will meet again Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. at the courthouse.