As part of a major project to improve a five-mile corridor of I-55 in Pike County, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is announcing the permanent closure of two ramps on I-55 S at the U.S. 98 interchange at Summit.
Beginning this Friday, Feb. 27 at approximately 6 p.m., the I-55 S entrance and exit ramps at U.S. 98 (Exit 20A and 20B) will close to allow crews to connect ramps to the recently constructed roundabout west of the interchange. Though U.S. 98 will remain open, motorists on the highway may experience minor delays during this time due to flagging operations. The work is anticipated to be completed at 6 a.m. Monday, March 2. Following the weekend closure, the loop ramps located on I-55 S at Exit 20A and U.S. 98 W to I-55 S will be permanently closed to traffic.
Moving forward, southbound traffic should use Exit 20B to access U.S. 98 at Summit. The new interchange design on U.S. 98 at Summit features teardrop-shaped roundabouts to the east and west of I-55. In the next phase of construction, two loop ramps on the east side of the interchange will be permanently closed to traffic, decreasing the number of ramps in service at this location from eight to four and simplifying traffic flow.
“While any new traffic pattern comes with a learning curve, the new Summit interchange will modernize the area’s infrastructure and greatly enhance safety for motorists,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “Roundabouts significantly decrease fatal and serious crashes, allow traffic to flow efficiently and are cost effective. We thank the public for their patience during this time, and since construction is ongoing in this area, we remind everyone to be cautious in work zones as we move into the next phase of this important project.”
The interchange redesign at U.S. 98 is part of a nearly $76 million project that will also resurface five miles of I-55 from State Route 24 to U.S. 98 and raise four bridges over I-55, including Delaware Ave., Park Ave., Enterprise Rd. and Robb St. The project is expected to increase interstate traffic safety.
The project was awarded to Barriere Construction of Laplace, La., and should wrap up in 2027.
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.