Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.
“As the holidays approach, lots of major road work is underway across the central Mississippi region, including several projects that impact traffic in the Jackson metro,” said Commissioner Simmons. “It’s great to see this kind of progress making headway in our most heavily traveled areas. Please slow down and stay alert as you travel through these work zones.”
Bridge deck replacement progresses on I-55 in Jackson
In October, crews started on a critical hydro-demolition project on both north and southbound I-55 bridges over the Pearl River in Jackson. The work entails the removal and replacement of both bridge decks, requiring two lanes to be shut down at a time, leaving two travel lanes open in each direction.
Crews have completed most of the demolition of the closed lanes and will begin pouring concrete soon. Once each section of deck has been poured and cured, traffic will swap and work will begin on the other lanes.
“Seeing an average of 113,000 vehicles daily over a prolonged period of time has caused these bridge decks to deteriorate to the point where we now must remove and replace them to extend the lives of these bridges,” said Simmons. “I appreciate the effort drivers are putting in to slow down, leave a little earlier to get to work and planning routes around these lane closures, especially during peak travel times. By doing your part, you can help ensure this work gets completed as safely as possible.”
The $24.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison. The project is on track to be completed by spring 2025. Remaining work is weather dependent.
State Route 19 expansion nears completion in Neshoba County
A massive expansion project along 4.6 miles of State Route 19 from Tucker to Philadelphia in Neshoba County is nearing completion. The project expands SR 19 from two to four lanes and will enhance safety and mobility across east central Mississippi.
Crews have started the third and final phase which includes the placement of the final lift of asphalt onto the northbound lanes, finishing placement of crushed stone along the northbound shoulders, and placing permanent striping throughout the project.
The $36 million contract was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction of Philadelphia. Remaining work is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
Bridge rehabilitation on U.S. 80 over the Pearl River in Hinds County
Another bridge deck replacement is underway in the Jackson area over the Pearl River, this one on U.S. 80. Beginning Monday, Dec. 2, crews will temporarily shut down both directions of U.S. 80 over the Pearl River to replace the bridge deck. Drivers are encouraged to plan an alternate route around the closure using State St., I-20 and U.S. 49 in Hinds and Rankin County.
The scope of the rehabilitation includes the removal of three steel girder spans and implementation of a new bridge deck and railing. Additional work includes placing a hybrid polymer overlay on the remainder of the bridge, sealing the new bridge joints, and cleaning all bridge caps.
“We understand this closure will be a temporary inconvenience to drivers, especially as crews work to complete the I-55 bridge work in Jackson, but this is a critical infrastructure project that must be addressed as soon as possible for the structure to safely stay in service,” said Simmons. “I encourage drivers to plan alternate routes around the closure on State St., I-20 and U.S. 49, or using any number of local roads. We will work to complete this work as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The $6.5 million contract was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport, Inc. of Laurel. The closure is expected to last up to nine months.
Mill and overlay on U.S. 49 in Rankin County nears completion
The mill and overlay of 9.2 miles of U.S. 49 from the Simpson County line to just south of Florence is nearly complete. Work includes repairing failed areas, releveling underlying concrete pavement with pressure grouting, widening the turn lanes at Star Rd. and upgrading deficient guardrail.
Completed work includes the placement of shoulder gravel, rumble strips and profile grinding. Crews are working on permanent striping and placing raised pavement markers throughout the project.
The $11.4 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc. of Jackson. Remaining work is expected to wrap up by at the end of the year.
Bridge repairs complete on I-55 in Madison County
A project to repair each I-55 bridge over U.S. 51 and the CNIC railroad is complete in Madison County. The scope of the repairs included 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.
The $2.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC.
Major mill and overlay across Jackson interstates complete
The major interstate improvement project across I-20 and parts of I-55 and I-220 in the Jackson metro area has been completed.
The $14 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc.of Jackson.
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.
Mainline paving of stone matrix asphalt, clearing, fence repair and joint sealing work remains underway. Pressure grouting and failed area repairs are complete. The $28.2 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. The anticipated completion date is summer 2025.
SR 477 construction begins in Rankin County
Construction is now underway on a historic project that calls for the construction of a four-lane highway between U.S. 80 in Pearl and SR 468 in Flowood, including grading, drainage and bridge work. Once complete, it will connect the cities of Pearl and Flowood, enhancing safety and connectivity across the region.
All construction signs have been completed and crews are currently working on excess excavation, erosion control, drainage and bridge items. The nearly $60 million contract was awarded to Eutaw Construction Company, Inc. of Madison. The anticipated completion date is spring 2027.
Mill and overlay of U.S. 11 complete 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 has been completed. This includes all paving, failed area repair and installation of new guardrail pads.
Crews recently completed final striping efforts. The $2.2 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS.
Pavement restoration of I-20 underway in western Hinds County
On the western side of Hinds County, a pavement restoration project remains 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, sawing and sealing of transverse joints. Guardrail repairs, milling and paving efforts continue. The $9.9 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt of Byram. Work is expected to wrap up sometime next year depending on the seasonal limitations of OGFC placement.
Mill and overlay of State Route 145 underway in Lauderdale County
A mill and overlay of 4.4 miles of State Route 145 from the Clarke County line to I-59 is 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 are currently repairing failed areas. The $5.8 million project was awarded to APAC-MS. Work is on track to be completed summer 2025.
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. The first bridge on SR 395 over Pinishook Creek has been reopened. The second SR 395 bridge over Mimes Branch is currently closed for replacement. Crews are currently installing erosion control items.
Drivers can detour around the closure via SR 19 and SR 15 in Neshoba County. Local traffic is encouraged to plan an alternate route on local roads.
The $4.7 million project was awarded to Ste-Bil Grading, Inc. of Waterford. Work is scheduled to be complete summer 2025.
SR 21 mill and overlay underway in Scott County
The lottery funded mill and overlay of seven miles of SR 21 from Steele to Sebastopol is underway in Scott County. Crews have completed all failed areas and mainline paving and are currently placing shoulder gravel.
The $3.3 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. Work is on track to wrap up next month.
Mill and overlay of State Route 469 in Rankin County
A lottery funded mill and overlay of 9.5 miles of State Route 469 from Florence to State Route 468 in Rankin County remains underway. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas, upgrading deficient signage, cross drain repairs, upgrading signal detection and resealing bridge joints.
Crews are working on milling and paving mainline. The $5.5 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. The estimated completion date is spring 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 these projects and have a great holiday season.”
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.