MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced bridges on U.S. 51 in Madison County will be replaced.

Following a bridge inspection in April, MDOT bridge engineers were forced to shut down a pair of U.S. 51 bridges between Tithelo Road and Way Road, located 8.5 miles north of Canton. They discovered timber pile deterioration underneath.

Due to the deterioration, MDOT bridge engineers made the decision to replace the nearly 100-year-old bridges in a project that should start later this year.

Officials said the bridge replacement project is expected to be let in a special letting later this month and will include the replacement of five bridges in the area. Preliminary work such as design planning and erosion control efforts are underway, with a notice to proceed expected this fall.

Officials expect the first two bridges that are closed (located between Tithelo Rd. and Way Rd.) to be replaced and reopened during the fall of 2026. The other three bridges are expected to be completed by the fall of 2028.

During the closures, drivers should utilize an alternate route and stay out of the closure area.