TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- A dispute between the city of Tupelo and a local family could hold up the process to finish the Northern Loop on time.
While work will soon begin on the bridge that will cross the Natchez Trace, the bridge that will cross Highway 78 is still in limbo.
The city of Tupelo has filed a lawsuit against the family that refuses to sign a crucial document.
"We can't go forward building the bridge over Highway 78 until we get this issue with these family members with Mrs. Scott resolved," said city attorney John Hill.
The waiver states Gethie Parker Scott, who is now deceased, was also advised of her right to receive compensation for the land she donated to the project.
Daughter Jimmie Farrah said that's untrue.
"If they had told my mother she could get some money, she would have got it. She was 90 years old and very sick," said Farrah.
City officials said the family has already signed over the rights to the property; the waiver is just an additional document that needs to be signed now that federal money will be used to fund some of the project.
But Farrah said the city never told them that compensation was an option.
"I just can't find it in my heart to sign something that is not true. You got to stand up for what's right," Farrah said.
City leaders said they had no other choice but to file a lawsuit.
No court date has been set, but leaders said they expect to go before a judge sometime in February.
