[03/19/02]A contract to resurface Mission 66 was approved by Vicksburg officials Monday with work to begin in April.

APAC Mississippi Inc., won the $498,810 job for new asphalt along the main thoroughfare from Confederate Avenue to Sky Farm Avenue. The money is coming from November’s $17.5 million bond issue.

“For the last three administrations we’ve been wanting to repave Mission,” said North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young. And, “If it wasn’t for this bond money we wouldn’t be able to do it now.”

Mission 66 is the third-busiest street in the city, according to a Mississippi Department of Transportation count. The report indicated that about 12,000 vehicles travel the north-south road each day.

Clay Street has 20,000 vehicles a day.

The city completed a $486,789 project at Clay and Mission 66 streets earlier this year to widen the intersection and install new traffic lights. That project had been planned for about seven years.

City Engineer Garnet Van Norman said the paving is expected to be finished about six months after work begins. He said the road will remain open during work, although some lanes may be blocked for a short time while section are milled.

The bond issue also contained money for downtown work. Officials said they foresee a tax increase in October to start repaying the money.

In other matters the city board:

Received sealed bids for replacing the secondary digester cover and upgrading gas handling pipes at the water pollution control center. The lowest bid was from Hemphill Construction of Vicksburg for $588,2000, but was over budget by $200,000.

Approved closing parts of Grove Street between Howard and Hayes streets for the Vicksburg Catholic School’s annual Play-A-Day-In-May-Away on May 4.

Approved a new walk route for the American Heart Association beginning at the Warren County Courthouse on Cherry Street for Saturday.

Approved suspending the open container ordinance for the 15th annual Riverfest on April 19, 20 and 21 in a 2-1 vote. South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman voted against the request.

Allocated $1,470 to purchase a historical marker to be placed at City Front for the CSS Arkansas.

Approved an ad for $500 for the April edition of the Delta Business Journal.

Presented a certificate of recognition to Terry West in the water pollution-control center.

During a closed session, upheld a three-day suspension of a police officer for not being friendly at the front desk at the police department.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall Annex.