Bank Stabilization at SR 33 Homochitto River Bridge

The Homochitto River has undergone significant channel degradation, extensive meandering, and lateral movement since the 1940s, and SR 33 bridges at this location have collapsed three times.

In 2012, the embankment of State Route 33 and Bridge No. 29.0 over the Homochitto River were again potentially jeopardized by the lateral migration of the river. Initially, Mendrop Engineering Resources, LLC was contracted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to provide an independent hydraulic review of engineering data submitted by a third party contractor for the SR 33 Homochitto River Bridge (Bridge #29.00) near Rosetta. The scope of work also included submission of supplemental conceptual design recommendations for stream bank stabilization. Mendrop recommended a combination of longitudinal stone toe protection, bank revetment, bendway weirs, and local pier scour protection as countermeasures to combat channel bank erosion at the site.

In July 2014, Mendrop was selected by MDOT to provide preliminary and final hydraulic design and Phase “A” Final Right-of-Way plans for bank stabilization. Hydraulic design and analysis for stream stability countermeasures are based on requirements found in FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 23 (HEC-23). Bridge scour evaluations included an assessment of channel stability utilizing HEC-18, HEC-20, and Hydraulic Design Series No. 6 requirements.

In May 2015, Mendrop was selected by MDOT to provide Phase “B” final contract plans for the stream bank stabilization. These plans included typical sections, estimated quantities, plan-profile sheets, erosion control plans, right-of-way coordinate sheets, and final cross sections.

In May 2017, Mendrop was again selected by MDOT to provide Phase “C” construction review for the construction of the stream bank stabilization at the SR 33 Homochitto River Bridge.