NATCHEZ — Natchezians should start seeing construction of the flyover at the intersection on D’Evereux and Seargent S. Prentiss drives pick up steam and should expect some traffic changes in the next few weeks.

Mississippi Department of Transportation resident engineer and project manager Steve Smith said rainy weather has delayed construction slightly in the last couple of months.

“If the rain will hold off, people will start seeing some changes over the next few weeks because work is fixing to pick up,” he said.

One end of the bridge deck is complete, and Smith said crews are in the process of erecting scaffolding for the other end and should begin pouring concrete soon.

The bridge deck is constructed in units, with each end of the bridge’s concrete deck poured separately than the middle unit.

Smith said crews are currently pouring concrete on the retaining wall on the south end of the project, and he said pile driving work is complete.

The contractor is getting ready to start driving piles for the abutment on north end of the bridge.

Asphalt crews, Smith said, should be back at the site in the next few weeks to finish up work on all except one of the remaining asphalt layers on the frontage road. Smith said the last layer will be finished near the end of the project so the road looks nice when construction is complete.

Crews will also be at the site in two weeks, Smith said, to work on curbs and gutters.

Northbound traffic on D’Evereux Drive, Smith said, will be redirected to go under the completed portion of the bridge deck sometime in the next month. He said MDOT will give at least a week’s notice before the traffic redirection.

Traffic lights will be installed on the frontage road near Ryan’s and Lynda Lee Drive, Smith said, sometime closer to the end of the project. Traffic is currently controlled by stop signs, and Smith said drivers should be especially careful and observant of the signs.

One of the major objectives of the $19.7 million flyover, Smith said, is to direct 18-wheeler truck traffic over the intersection instead truck drivers making a left turn at it. He said it should shorten delay times at the intersection.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in late August or September.