Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.
“These projects are a major investment into our infrastructure and show your tax dollars at work,” said Simmons. “As these projects move forward, safety and mobility will increase for all central Mississippi traffic.”
I-59/20 improvements near completion in Lauderdale County
A design-build project through Meridian that involves widening the I-59/20 bridges over State Route 19/39 and 65th Ave., as well as removal of the bridges over Knight Parker Rd., is nearing completion. The project also includes a roadway lighting upgrade throughout Meridian along I-59/20.
At Site 1, the bridge widening phase of the I-20/59 bridges over SR 19/39 is complete and the lowering of the SR 19/39 route beneath I-20/59, with the exception of the final asphalt lift, is complete. Crews are preparing for final paving operations.
At Site 2, the existing bridges have been removed and the area has been reconstructed using roadway fill. Crews are repairing underlying concrete sections and preparing for final paving operations.
At Site 3, the bridge widening, roadway widening, slope paving and slope filling is complete. Crews are preparing to place the final lift of asphalt.
The roadway lighting system upgrade portions of the project is also nearly complete. All seven circuits of the lighting system have been completed and are operational. Only minor clean-up work remains.
“We appreciate Meridian-area drivers being patient and allowing our crews to get this design-build project done so quickly,” said Simmons. “This project will further enhance safety and mobility for motorists and commercial traffic on the vital route through Meridian.”
The $24.4 million design-build project was awarded to Key Construction Company of Madison. The project will wrap up early this summer.
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State Route 18 bridge replacement in Rankin County
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State Route 18 bridge replacement in Rankin County
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State Route 18 bridge replacement in Rankin County
Significant headway made on State Route 18 bridge replacement in Rankin County
The State Route 18 bridge over Dabbs Creek in Rankin County is undergoing a critical replacement project. Demolition of the old bridge is complete. Crews are driving piles and pouring caps for beam placement.
“We understand having this bridge closed has caused some inconvenience for residents and local traffic. That said, safety is the priority when it comes to infrastructure projects, and the replacement of the bridge is no exception,” said Simmons. “Crews are making great progress and will continue working as quickly and efficiently as possible. Residents, drivers and the business community can rest assured knowing they will soon have a safer, bigger and more reliable bridge to travel for a very long time.”
Motorists are advised to utilize State Route 43 and I-20 as a detour route around the closure. For a map of MDOT’s official detour, click here.
The nearly $3 million project was awarded to St-Bil Grading, Inc. of Waterford. SR 18 is on track to reopen by the end of 2023 and the remainder of the project is scheduled to be completed spring 2024.
State Route 19 expansion progress in Neshoba County
Progress continues on the 4.6-mile expansion of State Route 19 from two to four lanes between Tucker and Philadelphia in Neshoba County. The first phase of work included construction of the new northbound lanes, reworked side roads onto the west side of the existing SR 19 and construction of the new intersection at Tucker Elementary School.
Work in progress includes grading and paving the two new lanes, box culvert construction and other work items. The second phase of work consists of rehabilitating portions of the existing SR 19 and reconstructing other areas that require new cross drains and box culverts. The third phase will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, place the final lift of asphalt and provide permanent striping.
“With a steady increase in traffic, this stretch of roadway being expanded to four lanes with a new grade will offer smoother riding conditions for all traffic, from commuters and school traffic to commercial traffic,” said Simmons. “SR 19 in Neshoba County will be a safer and less congested route next year.”
The $36 million contract was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction of Philadelphia. The project is expected to wrap up in 2024.
Mill and overlay of I-55 in Madison County nearly complete
A 7 mile mill and overlay of I-55 from 2 miles north of State Route 22 to the Yazoo County line is nearly complete. Mainline milling, guardrail replacement and shoulder gravel placement is complete. The shoulders have been milled and paved.
Remaining work is expected to wrap up by summer 2023. The $7.6 million project was awarded to APAC-Mississippi of Jackson.
Mill and overlay of SR 43 underway in Rankin County
A mill and overlay of SR 43 from just south of I-20 to Pelahatchie is now underway. Work includes repairing failed areas, replacing the damaged concrete paved ditch, installing edge drains and upgrading guardrail.
The nearly $3 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven. Work is anticipated to last through the summer.
Lottery funded mill and overlay of State Route 18 underway in Hinds County
A lottery funded mill and overlay of 18 miles of State Route 18 from the end of the Copiah County line to the beginning of the four-lane section near Raymond is underway. The scope includes repairing failed areas, repairing and replacing cross drainpipes and widening portions of the roadway. Crews have completed the punchouts and pipe repair.
The nearly $8 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt, Inc. of Byram. Work will wrap up this summer.
Slide repairs underway on I-20 and State Route 13 in Scott County
A project is underway to repair two landslides along I-20 eastbound, one mile east of State Route 481, and on State Route 13 just north of SR 481 in Scott County. Crews have completed all excess and borrow material items on SR 13 and have grassed the new slope. They are currently driving sheet piles at the I-20 location.
The $982,432 project was awarded to Joe McGee Construction of Lake. Remaining work is anticipated to wrap up late summer 2023.
Mill and overlay coming to SR 19 in Lauderdale County
A project to mill and overlay five miles of SR 19 from 0.5 miles north of North Hills St. to 0.2 miles north of State Route 494 will soon begin in Lauderdale County. The scope includes safety improvements to the intersection of SR 494 and SR 19, debris removal from drainage structures, tree clearing on Right-of-Way to improve sight distance, repairing failed areas, guardrail and sign replacement.
The $5.5 million project was awarded to APAC. The expected completion date is fall 2023.
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State Route 19 expansion progress in Neshoba County
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State Route 19 expansion progress in Neshoba County
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State Route 19 expansion progress in Neshoba County
Paving projects underway in Neshoba County
A mill and overlay of eight miles of State Route 15 from County Road 461 to the Winston County line is underway, that includes repairing failed areas, upgrading deficient guardrail, minor bridge repair work and placement of centerline rumble strip throughout the project. Placement of temporary construction signage, removal of asphalt pavement, failed area repair, concrete pavement placement and trench widening has been completed. Work in progress includes milling, paving and temporary striping. The $6.1 million contract was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. and has a completion date of summer 2023.
A two-mile mill and overlay of State Route 15 through Philadelphia recently got underway. Work includes repairing failed areas and upgrades to traffic signal detection and any deficient guardrail. Crews have installed both the temporary construction signage and new traffic signal detection gear. The $4.3 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen with an anticipated completion of summer 2023.
A mill and overlay of 10 miles of SR 16 from just east of Philadelphia to the Kemper County line is underway. Completed items include temporary signage installation, removal of asphalt pavement, failed area repair and some paving. Work in progress includes milling and paving, temporary striping, and paving of driveway pads and county roads. The $5.4 million project was awarded to APAC-MS and work is expected to wrap up by fall 2023.
“I’d like to express my appreciation to the MDOT staff, the contractors and their employees for keeping Mississippi moving through their dedicated work on our state roads and bridges,” said Simmons. “Motorists are reminded to slow down and be on high alert for roadside workers who are trying to complete these projects as quickly and safely as possible.”
Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and the highway workers on the side of the road. Highway work zones can be found throughout the state and often present unfamiliar traffic conditions. Examples of common work zones found on Mississippi highways and a complete list of tips can be found at GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.
MDOT recently launched a new project update webpage that aims to keep the public informed regarding significant, active projects. The webpage provides up-to-date information on project timelines, progress, and any potential road closures or detours that may be associated with the project. Access the MDOT projects webpage by visiting www.GoMDOT.com/Projects.
In addition to the projects webpage, drivers can stay updated with live travel information at www.MDOTtraffic.com, by downloading the MDOT Traffic mobile app and following @MississippiDOT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.