A panel of city officials will study a Warren Avenue bridgereplacement project and seek citizens’ input on the matter,aldermen decided Tuesday.

During the meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen, Ward 3Alderman the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson continued his push for a newbridge to replace the closed one on Warren Avenue.

“I’ve been getting a lot of calls from people who want thatbridge,” Wilson said.

Wilson questioned why the closed bridge could not be torn down.Mayor Bill Godbold said the bridge is owned by the railroad, whichdid some repairs to it about 20 years ago.

“We’d have to put the pressure on them to do something with it,”Godbold said.

Wilson said the bridge is needful and repeated his concernsabout its importance in case of an emergency. He said it would be”a mess” if an ambulance is needed and it can’t get across therailroad tracks.

However, a location for a new bridge has generated publicinterest in the project. One location mentioned has been near theintersection of South Jackson Street and Natchez Avenue.

“I haven’t found anybody who wants the bridge in their area,”said Alderman at large Les Bumgarner.

Godbold began to bring the discussion to a close with a decisionto appoint a committee. He suggested a poll of residents in thearea to get their opinions on the project.

“We’ll study this thing and talk to different people,” Godboldsaid.

Godbold appointed himself, Bumgarner and Wilson to the panel.Ward 4 Alderman Bob Massengill was offered a position on the panel,but he said he was fine with the three officials chosen.

There was some further discussions about the bridge and pastdifficulties in meeting engineering requirements for somelocations, such as in the middle of downtown, and even at itscurrent location. Officials have said two homes would have to bebought if the bridge were rebuilt where it is now.

Officials said the county has been allocated money to replacethe bridge, but the city would be responsible for acquiring anyneeded right of way. Bumgarner questioned what expenses the citywould incur.

“How much is it going to cost to get a free bridge?,” Bumgarnersaid.

Wilson said nothing is free and repeated his views on the needfor the bridge.

Also Tuesday, resident Andrew Graham appeared before the boardto question his purchase of a culvert for the city install in frontof his property on North Fifth Street. During a heated exchange,Graham objected to his inability to remove the culvert — if everneeded — and its becoming city property.

Godbold said that was the city’s policy and told Graham, a cityfirefighter, that he could be removed if he did not perform in hiscity duties. When asked by the mayor, Fire Chief Paul Cartwrightsaid Graham’s performance was satisfactory.

In another appearance, aldermen approved Lincoln County CivilDefense Coordinator Clifford Galey’s request for the city to jointhe State Mutual Aid Compact. The program allows an exchange offederal, state, city and county services in the event of adisaster.

“If we have a disaster, it can get us some help,” Galeysaid.

Cartwright was appointed as the city’s liaison with Galey’soffice.

In ward-related matters, aldermen approved Ward 5 Alderman TomSmith’s request to block an unopened city street between WestMonticello Street and Brookway Boulevard near Homestead Auto Sales.There has been an ongoing dispute involving residents concernedabout the separation of residential and commercial areas.

“That’ll help for a while anyway,” Smith said about blocking thestreet.

Godbold, Bumgarner and Ward 1 Alderman Dorsey Cameron leaveSaturday for a trip to Washington to visit with congressionaldelegation members regarding federal funding for city projects.Aldermen approved Traffic Coordinator Jimmy Furlow is going alongto document the trip for a local television broadcast.

The entourage is expected to go to Meridian and ride the trainto Washington. City Engineer Carl Ray Furr is working on the tripitinerary and will meet the local delegation in Washington, Godboldsaid.

The group is scheduled to return Wednesday.