Drought causes damage to roadway on Natchez Trace
Just outside Tupelo, Mississippi along the Natchez Trace. (Travis Maurer / FOX 5 Atlanta)
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — The extreme drought plaguing Mississippi has caused damage to the Natchez Trace Parkway.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports officials on Monday cautioned travelers about pavement problems that have developed along the Mississippi portion of the parkway, including severe cracking and movement of the road surface in some areas.
Differential settlement across lanes can be troublesome for motorists, especially those on motorcycles. Officials say the movement is due to shrinkage of the underlying soils, and the issue will worsen as the drought continues.
This problem is not as prevalent in the Alabama or Tennessee sections of the parkway, but travelers are urged to exercise caution and watch for areas where the pavement surface has moved.
Maintenance crews continue to make repairs to areas that require immediate attention.
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Information from: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, http://djournal.com