TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- Work crews have begun the process of clearing the land for the contruction of a bridge on the northern loop project in Tupelo.
Workers are removing trees and hauling away dirt from the worksite on Barnes Crossing Road just east of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Construction of the bridge is one of the last phases of opening the roadway.
Major Thoroughface Committee members say it will take nearly 18 months to complete the bridge over the NTP.
During construction, the speed limit on the Parkway has been reduced to 40 miles per hour from the NTP headquarters to Highway 78.
Walking trails through the area are also closed until the work is completed.
A bridge to connect the Coley Road Extension with the new roadway must also be built, but no starting date has been announced for that part of the project.
