Williford, Gearhart & Knight, Inc.
			Engineers & Surveyors
			Volume 1, Issue 8, October 22, 2008
www.wgkengineers.com
SR 21 - SCOTT COUNTY
					What are your Motives? I went to a retreat this weekend in Georgia put on by a wonderful man who loves the Lord named Gary Barkalow. Gary was one of the speakers at Ransomed Heart who speaks on the book “Wild at Heart”. Gary and I share a passion in that we both love to help men figure out their “Calling”. I went with the intentions of getting pointers and knowledge on helping others; that’s a nice way of saying using his ideas. Solomon said it best, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Well there may be nothing new, but I heard a refreshing depiction of the gospel and the importance of following your heart into your calling. God uncovered my motives within 30 minutes of being there with a very pointed question. Gary asked, “Why are you here?” My answer was of course clarity and more information. In the next session Gary returned to the question and he said something so profound, “We want clarity and we are to “ask, seek, and knock” but sometimes the real choice in a situation at that moment is that you can have God or you can try to have clarity.” I knew I had been caught. God was telling me that I was not trusting that he has me on the right path, and that He wasn’t going at the speed I wanted. I realized that I am right where I am in my life because it is where I am supposed to be now, and that life is a process lived one day at a time. I went looking for my heart, and when I left I realized that God wanted me chasing my heart all of my life. That is what this life is for. Never quit chasing after your own heart because it is the key to life. Maybe Solomon did really know what he was talking about (Prov. 4:23)
Williford, Gearhart and Knight, Inc. Engineers and Surveyors, (WGK) and Key, LLC, (Key) a Madison based construction company, teamed on a design-build project for the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the replacement of two bridges in Scott County. Located along State Route 21 between Steele and Sebastopol, The project consisted of the removal of two existing bridges over Hontokalo Creek and construction of replacement structures and associated approach roadway items. In use since 1955, the existing bridges were each constructed as 100′ 0″ long structures, using 5 twenty foot spans supported by steel beams, timber caps and timber pilings. The deck of both bridges was cast in place concrete. This rural two lane highway is traveled by an estimated 3,000 vehicles per day and is a primary distribution route for many of the poultry grower farms in the area. Due to this traffic pattern, MDOT knew that maintaining traffic throughout the course of the work was crucial in achieving a successful project for the traveling public. In order to achieve MDOT’s desire to maintain traffic on the existing roadway, WGK was challenged to determine a horizontal and vertical alignment for a new roadway that could be constructed adjacent to the existing roadway. Additionally, WGK was challenged to fit the new alignment into the right of way that had already been acquired for the project and to achieve a design that could be quickly and efficiently constructed by KEY in the allotted time for the project. This was shown to be especially critical after the WGK team determined that any other approach to replacing the structures by a typical detour and replacement plan could not be completed in the allotted time. The only solution available was to determine a new alignment that could be constructed without imposing on the existing alignment. WGK worked to arrive at an alignment that would put the new bridges and roadway to the southeast of the existing bridges, but far enough away as to not interfere with the existing traffic. Once the new roadway and structures were completed, traffic would be shifted to the new alignment and the existing bridges and roadway embankment could then be removed. WGK designed each bridge with two 12-ft travel lanes and two 10-ft outside shoulders for a new bridge minimum width of 44 feet. All elements of the bridge and roadway design were prepared in accordance with the required MDOT design specifications and standards. After reviewing the soil boring information provided by MDOT and consulting with Burns Cooley Dennis, Inc., (BCD) the team’s geotechnical partner, it was determined that the foundations for each bridge should use 10 inch steel pilings on the end bents and 12 inch steel pilings on intermediate bents. At BCD’s recommendation, the steel pilings were driven with pile points to achieve the required minimum pile tip penetration below the scour elevations. The steel pilings were fully encased with concrete from the bottom of the bent caps to 3′ 0″ below the natural ground. As required by MDOT, the new bridges were also constructed with upstream spur dikes at both end bents to help control erosion during high water events. Adding to these design issues were concerns that KEY be given adequate construction time to complete the improvements and remove the existing structures. As required by MDOT, the project was to be designed, plans submitted for approval, construction of the new improvements completed, removal of the existing structures and roadway completed, and grass cover established in approximately seven months. To further complicate this fast-paced delivery schedule, the WGK team determined during the proposal phase that this schedule would actually need to be compressed to 5 months to allow adequate time for grass cover to be established during the last two months. With this dictate, WGK worked with KEY, BCD and MDOT to establish the foundation design and pile lengths very early on in the project. Through the use of intensive partnering sessions with MDOT, WGK was able to fast track the design of the bridges and KEY was able to begin driving pilings within three weeks of Notice to Proceed. A critical element in the success of this project; these Partnering sessions were initially held weekly, and then later in the project stretched to bi-weekly frequency until the project was completed and accepted on December 15, 2006 within the stated proposal budget of $3,020,000.00.
					Please check out Gary’s website at www.thenobleheart.com
									Michael McDade 325 Hwy 80 East, Suite 145 Clinton, MS 39056 601-506-3579 mike@eyesoftheheart.com
							AVOIDING THE FLU
					Does getting a Flu Shot really PREVENT you from getting the flu? What kind of protection does the flu vaccine offer? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when the match between flu vaccine and circulating strains of flu virus is close, a flu shot is between 70 and 90 percent effective in warding off illness in healthy people under age 65. For older adults who don't live in nursing homes and for people with chronic medical conditions, the flu vaccine is 30 to 70 percent effective in preventing hospitalization for flu or pneumonia. Among nursing home residents, a flu shot is 50 to 60 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia, and 80 percent effective in preventing death from influenza. In some cases, people who get a flu shot can still get the flu, but they may get a much less severe form of the illness and, most important, they'll have a decreased risk of flu-related complications Who should get the flu vaccine? Most people who want to reduce the risk of getting influenza can get a flu shot. To find out who the CDC recommends get the flu vaccine each year please and for more information Click Here.
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT					Back, L-R: Alderman Aubrey Barnette, Alderman Jack Moss. Front L-R, Alex Thomas MSA Heritage Trail Coordinator, Senator John Horhne, Mayor Isla Tullos, Alderman K P. Lewis & Alderman Sidney Mitchell. The City of Raymond tower was listed as a Mississippi Landmark and had a birthday party to celebrate a couple of years ago. The City of Raymond Water tower.
		MAYOR ISLA TULLOS www.raymondms.com
Isla Tullos was born and raised in the City of Starkville, Mississippi. She graduated from Starkville High School and is a MSU graduate and moved to the Madison County area after the Easter Flood in Jackson in 1979. She is a wife, mother of two sons and grandmother of two grandchildren. For the last 40 years she has been the keeper of many dogs as well as other animals and started farming and gardening, while continuing her own business as a custom floral designer/event planner. In 1991 she bought an antebellum building on the square in Raymond and spent 1 ½ years restoring it, moving into the building in 1993. She has always loved antiques and living on the Square in an 1830 building piqued her interest in the preservation of architecture. She was elected Mayor in 1997 and with the cooperation of the Board of Aldermen, began planning on how to build for the future and retain the historic character of their town. Mayor Tullos is currently on her third term as Mayor. Mayor Tullos said years ago she came across the phrase, "restore the fading art of strolling," and tacked it up on the wall behind her desk. That phrase has been the underpinning for just about everything that they have accomplished, from building new sidewalks, to rehabilitating others and making the ADA accessible, to creating pedestrian crosswalks and traffic islands around the water tank in the square. The later was funded through a MDA Small Municipalities Grant. Mayor Tullos says that, “the city has purchased a small building located behind City Hall and it will become a visitor/tourist information center and will house a couple of city offices. Plans are to make the back of the property into the worlds tiniest multi-purpose park and community gathering spot.” She is very proud of the efforts of Friends of Raymond and was involved in the creation of the group in 1997. The group has successfully acquired about 65 acres of core Raymond battlefield and through a T21 grant, has constructed a 3/4 mile interpreted, walking trail on one 24 acre parcel. And plans are underway to acquire another significant parcel that will add to the preserved acreage. Mayor Tullos says that their has been significant water and wastewater infrastructure improvements that have taken place during her terms in office, and 99% of them have been with the never-ending aid and assistance of WGK.
If something is happening in your town/city that you want to include in this section please send me an e-mail at srand@wgkengineers.com
Saturday, November 1, 2008 HARVEST FESTIVAL City of Raymond Vendors, antique car show, children’s events				Moss Point Mississippi- December 6, 2008 In Moss Point, Mississippi, Christmas is a truly special time of the year. It’s a time when families decorate and celebrate traditions and children are filled with excitement and anticipation. It’s a time of reuniting with old friends and reminiscing. In Moss Point, we celebrate the season by gathering downtown and enjoying everything that makes our Christmas special. We welcome you to join us. Christmas by the River is an annual festival that kicks off the holiday season, and this year we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary. It’s free for the public to attend and the main attractions include a nighttime boat parade and a grand fireworks show.				Christmas In Canton City of Lights Canton, "The City of Lights", comes alive each holiday season with attractions and events for young and old alike. From the Victorian Festival to old- fashioned carousel rides, you’ll find something to tickle your holiday fancy, no matter what your preference! November 28 through December 23, 2008
The Garden Club will be hosting a daffodil planting day at the old cemetery. The public is invited to bring bulbs to plant and/or help plant Garden Club bulbs. Someone left a small memorial to a loved one, and the daffodil planting was chosen as the memorial one that can be added to each year. What better memorial than a glorious yellow one that blesses us every spring.
				Fall Pilgrimage Sep/27/2008 - Oct/11/2008 Location: Entire Natchez Area Hostesses in period costumes welcome visitors to three houses each morning and three each in the afternoon, nineteen historic antebellum mansions in all. List of homes listed in the Fall Pilgrimage Brochure. Tickets purchased MUST be picked up at the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours Ticket Office. Visit Their Web Site: www.natchezpilgrimage.com				Mistletoe Marketplace 2008 November 6-8, 2008 The Junior League of Jackson is looking forward to Mistletoe Marketplace 2008. The three-day marketplace includes an array of special events, dining opportunities, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations from the Junior League's nationally recognized cookbooks. Over 35,000 shoppers from across the Southeast enjoy more than 165 merchants from across the United States offering unique gifts and holiday trends in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
	Sunday, November 2^nd we need to remember to turn our clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends for 2008.
Brookhaven Little Theatre Membership Party and Community Street Event Saturday, Oct. 25th at 7:00pm. The night will include entertainment, singing, the band Ghost Town, short speeches from Brookhaven's mayor, Mayor Massengill, Mississippi Arts Commissioner Malcolm White, and the Miss. Archives and History Dept, and Wyatt Waters, Miss. artists, as well as food and drinks, neon light sticks for the kids and sparklers. In addition, Save the Haven Draw Down tickets will be on sale for $100 each.  Each ticket holder will have the chance to win $10,000! www.brookhavenlittletheatre.org						17^th Presidential Inauguration President, Dr. George E. Ross www.alcorn.edu
				Friday, October 31, 2008, Alcorn State University will celebrate the inauguration of its 17^th President, Dr. George E. Ross. Presidential Inauguration Committee has planned several pre-inauguration events. The inaugural parade honoring Dr. Ross as “Dr. George E. Ross Day” is scheduled for October 28, 2008, the gospel concert will be held on October 29, 2008 in Natchez, a Scholarship Gala and reception in Vicksburg on October 31, 2008. Proceeds raised from these events will support the Presidential Inaugural and Scholarship Fund.
TO UNSUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE