Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.
“As summer maintenance season rolls on, construction projects are continuing to make headway across the district, improving the safety and mobility of our state’s infrastructure,” said Simmons. “Please slow down and stay alert for both construction and maintenance crews working to see these projects through.”
Mill and overlay nears completion on Jackson area interstates
The major interstate improvement project across I-20 and parts of I-55 and I-220 in the Jackson-metro area is nearing completion. The milling and paving portions of the project are complete. Striping crews are currently working to remove and replace thermoplastic stripe before placing rumble strips. Remaining work entails miscellaneous cleanup efforts sitewide along with guardrail repairs.
“We appreciate the public allowing our crews the time and space to make these interstates safer and smoother,” said Simmons. “During remaining work hours, please continue to stay vigilant for our crews and slow down when approaching active work zones so we can finish up this critical improvement project as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Remaining work will continue during overnight hours to limit the impact to traffic. The $14 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. of Jackson. The project remains on track to wrap up this fall.
Mill and overlay continues on U.S. 49 in Rankin County
The mill and overlay of 9.2 miles of U.S. 49 from the Simpson County line to just south of Florence continues making progress. Work includes repairing failed areas, releveling underlying concrete pavement with pressure grouting, widening the turn lanes at Star Rd. and upgrading deficient guardrail.
Crews have completed pressure grouting concrete in failed areas, turn lane widening at Star Rd. and Eagle Post Rd., ditch repair south of Stay Rd. and punchout repairs in concrete pavement. Mainline paving operations are also complete. Guardrail is being installed across the project limits with shoulder gravel placement to follow.
The $11.4 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc. of Jackson. Lane closures will take place overnight to limit traffic impact. Remaining work is expected to wrap up by the end of this year.
State Route 19 expansion makes headway in Neshoba County
A major expansion project along 4.6 miles of State Route 19 from Tucker to Philadelphia in Neshoba County is making headway. The project expands SR 19 from two to four lanes. Phase I construction is complete as crews work to complete Phase II.
Work in progress includes clearing and grubbing, milling southbound SR 19 lanes, building county roads onto the new alignment, removing old box culverts and bridges, constructing new ones and hauling borrow and excess excavation.
Phase III will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, apply the final lift of asphalt and provide permanent striping. The $36 million contract was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction of Philadelphia. Remaining work is expected to wrap up later this year.
Bridge repairs on I-55 progress in Madison County
A project to repair each I-55 bridge over U.S. 51 and the CNIC railroad is making progress in Madison County. The scope of the repairs includes replacement of bridge bearings, repair of spalled areas with epoxy mortar, installation of hybrid polymer concrete overlay, re-sealing of bridge joints and fencing installation.
Temporary construction signs are in place to alert the public of the overnight lane closures. Bearing pad replacements, epoxy repairs and cleaning bridge caps are complete, and crews recently finished the hybrid polymer concrete overlay along with thermoplastic striping and raised pavement marker placement.
Remaining work includes the placement of fencing along the slope, paving and miscellaneous cleanup. The $2.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC and will be completed by the fall.
I-20 mill and overlay continues in Scott County
A mill and overlay of 17 miles of I-20 from the Rankin County line to 0.25 miles east of State Route 501 continues in Scott County. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement, pressure grouting and repair of longitudinal joints, removal of debris from existing drainage structures, tree clearing, replacement of deficient guardrail, upgrading traffic signal detection to radar at the State Route 35 interchange, epoxy repairs and resealing joints on various bridges throughout the project.
Construction signs are in place, and the pressure grouting and failed area repairs are complete. Mainline paving, clearing, fence repair and joint sealing work remains underway. The $28.2 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. The anticipated completion date is summer 2025.
Pavement restoration of I-20 underway in western Hinds County
On the western side of Hinds County, a pavement restoration project is currently underway. The project includes 16 miles of interstate from the Warren County line to the Natchez Trace Parkway. The scope of work includes milling and overlaying the existing OGFC pavement, repairing failed areas in underlying concrete pavement, fiber reinforced polymer patching of spalls in the existing concrete pavement and upgrading deficient guardrail.
Crews have completed the ramp widening. Milling, paving and guardrail repairs are underway. The $9.9 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt of Byram. Work is expected to wrap up this fall.
Bridge preservation on I-55 frontage road underway in Madison County
A bridge preservation project is currently underway on the I-55 southbound exit ramp to Nissan Parkway (Exit 118B) in Madison County. The scope of the project includes removal and replacement of bridge end pavements and end walls, replacement of bridge bearings, installation of joint seals, drainage improvements, slope reinforcements and rip rap placement.
Work underway consists of clearing, grubbing and fence removal. The closure of the exit ramp will remain in place until approximately October 11 to allow crews to safely perform the work. Signs are in place to alert southbound drivers of the closure and detour, which will direct traffic to exit at Sowell Rd. and take I-55 north back to Nissan Parkway.
The $2 million project was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison. The remainder of the project is expected to wrap up next summer.
Mill and overlay of State Route 145 begins in Lauderdale County
A mill and overlay of 4.4 miles of State Route 145 from the Clarke County line to I-59 recently got underway in Lauderdale County. This includes scrub sealing in the project limits. The scope of work also includes repairing failed areas, upgrading any deficient guardrail and repairing existing bridge joints.
Crews have started placing construction signage and began repairing failed areas. The $5.8 million project was awarded to APAC-MS. Work is expected to wrap up summer 2025.
Mill and overlay of State Route 27 nears completion in Hinds County
A mill and overlay of 11 miles of State Route 27 from the Copiah County line to State Route 18 is nearing completion in Hinds County. Work includes the repair of failed areas and damaged drainage pipes, the replacement of deficient traffic signs and guardrail upgrades.
Crews have completed the milling and paving work. Remaining work includes placing permanent paving markings and grinding for smoothness.
Remaining work is on track to be completed by the end of the summer. The $4.7 million project was awarded to APAC-MS.
Bridge replacements on State Route 395 in Kemper County near completion
A project to replace two bridges on State Route 395 between State Route 16 and the Winston County line in Kemper County is nearing completion. The bridges and new roadway are complete. Only miscellaneous work items remain.
Work is on track to be complete by the end of summer. The $8.9 million contract was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport, Inc. of Laurel.
Bridge replacements on State Route 395 in Neshoba County
Two bridges are being replaced on State Route 395 between State Route 19 and the Winston County line. Completed work includes clearing and grubbing, driving piles, pouring caps, end walls and diaphragms and placing beams. Crews are currently pouring bridge decks.
The $4.7 million project was awarded to Ste-Bil Grading, Inc. of Waterford. Work is scheduled to be complete summer 2025.
Mill and overlay of State Route 469 in Rankin County
A mill and overlay of 9.5 miles of State Route 469 from Florence to State Route 468 is underway in Rankin County. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas, upgrading deficient signage, cross drain repairs, upgrading signal detection and resealing bridge joints.
Crews are currently working on drainage and failed area repairs. The $5.5 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. The estimated completion date is spring 2025.
Mill and overlay of U.S. 11 in Lauderdale County
The mill and overlay of 1.3 miles of U.S. 11 from State Route 39 to the end of the four-lane section in Lauderdale County is now underway. Work includes repairing failed areas, upgrading deficient signage and drainage improvements.
Crews have placed construction signs and are currently repairing failed areas. The $2.2 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. Work is expected to be completed summer 2025.
Bridge rehabilitation on U.S. 80 over the Pearl River in Hinds County
A bridge rehabilitation project on U.S. 80 over the Pearl River is underway. The primary scope of the project includes the removal of three steel girder spans, along with the bridge deck and rails and replacing it with a continuous plate girder span and new bridge deck and railing. Additional work includes placing a hybrid polymer concrete overlay on the remainder of the bridge, sealing the new bridge joints and cleaning all bridge caps.
The steel beam fabrication is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The $6.5 million contract was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport, Inc. of Laurel. The scheduled completion date of the entire project is fall 2025.
“As these ongoing projects make their way to completion, please do your part by slowing down and staying alert for roadside crews,” said Simmons. “Let’s give our folks enough space to safely wrap up the projects that remain underway.”
Work zone safety
Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and workers on the side of the road. Work zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that may be unfamiliar to motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.
MDOT project website
Stay up to date on MDOT’s significant, active projects by visiting GoMDOT.com/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.
For more information about these and other MDOT maintenance and construction projects, download the free MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.