Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.
“As these projects continue making headway, the safety and mobility of our state’s infrastructure increases,” said Simmons. “As Commissioner, I hope to continue to be able to make this kind of investment into our state’s transportation network. These are your tax dollars hard at work.”
State Route 19 expansion continues in Neshoba County
A major expansion project continues along 4.6 miles of State Route 19 from Tucker to Philadelphia in Neshoba County. The project will expand SR 19 from two to four lanes. Phase I is complete.
Phase II work is underway and includes clearing, grubbing and milling the southbound lanes of SR 19, removing old box culverts and bridges and constructing box culverts and bridges. Lanes are being built on the north end of the project. Crews are also working on pipe placement, realigning county roads and paving ditches.
Phase III will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, place 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 late 2024.
OGFC pavement removal in Jackson-metro underway
A project to remove open-graded friction course (OGFC) pavement on interstates in the Jackson-metro area remains underway. This includes I-20 from McRaven Rd. to the I-20/I-55 split and from the I-20/I-55 split to east of State Route 468 and I-55 throughout Hinds County.
Additional work consists of milling and overlaying the Gallatin St. connector ramp to I-20 westbound and the Gallatin St. loop ramp to I-20 eastbound. A portion of the project consists of placing high-friction surface treatment on the ramp form I-55 south to I-20 west.
Crews are currently working along I-20 at Ellis Ave. Once the milling has taken place on the problem areas, crews will place a one-inch overlay to smooth riding conditions.
The $11 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven. The overnight work is expected to last through summer 2024.
Mill and overlay continues on U.S. 49 in Rankin County
A major mill and overlay of 9.2 miles of U.S. 49 from the Simpson County line to just south of Florence continues to make headway. 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. and the ditch repair south of Star Rd. The project is awaiting full depth punchout repairs on concrete pavement. Pothole patching operations continue throughout the project.
The $11.4 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc. of Jackson. Remaining work is expected to wrap up spring 2025.
Pavement restoration of I-20 begins in western Hinds County
A pavement restoration project of 16 miles of I-20 from the Warren County line to the Natchez Trace Parkway began this week. 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 any deficient guardrail.
The $9.9 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt of Byram. Work is expected to wrap up this fall.
Intersection improvements underway on U.S. 51 in Madison County
Earthwork is underway on a project that will improve the intersection of U.S. 51 and Green Oak Ln. Islands have been poured along the west side, and the placement of stone and preliminary lift of asphalt has begun.
The improvements consist of widening the roadways, installing intersection channelization and a traffic signal system. The project will help provide the U.S. 51 tie-in necessary for the adjacent Reunion Parkway.
The $2.2 million contract was awarded to prime contractor Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. of Florence. The estimated completion date is summer 2024.
Mill and overlay of State Route 16 in Leake County
A project consisting of the mill and overlay of five miles of State Route 16 from the Madison County line to west of State Route 25 is underway in Leake County. Work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement and replacing guardrail and deficient signs. Construction signs have been placed.
The $2.8 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. Remaining work is scheduled to wrap up by the summer.
Mill and overlay begins on I-20 in Scott County
A mill and overlay of 17 miles of I-20 from the Rankin County line to 0.35 miles east of State Route 501 in Scott County got underway earlier this year.
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 radar at the State Route 35 interchange, epoxy repairs and resealing joints on various bridges throughout the project.
The $28 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc., and the estimated completion is summer 2025.
Mill and overlay of State Route 14 nearly complete in Noxubee County
A mill and overlay of 13 miles of State Route 14 from the Winston County line to west of State Route 145 is wrapping up in Noxubee County. Work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement and replacing guardrail and deficient signs.
Completed work includes repairing failed areas in the mainline and shoulder, mainline milling and paving, placement of temporary stripe, guardrail replacement, overlay of county roads and placement of crushed stone along shoulders.
Rumble strips have been placed, and crews are wrapping up the final inspection. The $8.2 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc.
Bridge repair underway on State Route 15 in Neshoba County
A bridge repair recently began on State Route 15 over the Kansas City Southern Railroad in Neshoba County. The scope of work includes the replacement of prestressed concrete plate bearings, bridge railing repair, repairing spalled areas with epoxy mortar, hydro-demolition and concrete overlay of the bridge deck, resealing of bridge joints and undersealing of the end bents.
During the closure period, one lane will remain open with traffic control devices in place that will allow travel in each direction. Work is underway on the northbound lane and once complete, crews will switch to the southbound side.
The $1 million project was awarded to Key, LLC. Work is expected to be complete this fall.
Mill and overlay of State Route 19 complete in Lauderdale County
A mill and overlay of five miles of State Route 19 from 0.5 miles north of North Hills St. to 0.2 miles north of State Route 494 is complete. The scope of work included safety improvements to the intersections of SR 494 and SR 19 and State Blvd. Extension and SR 19, removal of debris from existing drainage structures, random clearing of trees on right-of-way to improve sight distance, repairing failed areas in the existing pavement, replacement of guardrail, replacement of signs and resealing bridge joints.
APAC-MS, Inc. was awarded the $5.5 million contract. All pay items are complete. Crews are currently working on final punch list items.
Mill and overlay of State Route 16 nears completion in Madison County
A mill and overlay of 11 miles of State Route 16 from State Route 43 to Farmhaven is nearing completion in Madison County. Work included repairing failed areas and replacement of guardrail and signage. Another portion of the project provided for the removal of asphalt and installation of a concrete inlay on sections of SR 43 and SR 16.
Final work included asphalt grinding and placement of rumble strips and thermoplastic stripe. The $4.7 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc. The project will fully wrap up by the spring.
Mill and overlay of State Route 15 through Philadelphia complete
A mill and overlay of two miles of State Route 15 from 0.6 miles south of State Route 21 to 0.5 miles north of State Route 16 is complete in Neshoba County. The scope of work included repairing failed areas, traffic signal detection upgrades and deficient guardrail upgrades.
The $4.3 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc.
Emergency bridge repair on frontage road bridge complete in Jackson
A project that repaired the I-55 south frontage road over Hanging Moss Creek in Jackson following a fire underneath the bridge has wrapped up. The scope of repairs included removing the existing asphalt overlay, removing and replacing voided deck slabs and railing, repairing spalls and other damage with epoxy mortar and applying hybrid polymer concrete overlay to the deck.
Crews have completed the bridge repair and performed the final inspection. The $828,000 project was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison.
“We are so grateful to the Governor, State Legislature and Federal Delegation for providing the Commission new funding that enables us to do projects like these which provide a safer and more efficient transportation system in the state. In addition, we give thanks to MDOT staff and contractors for their commitment and superb job performance,” said Simmons. “Please drive slowly and stay alert for roadside crews throughout these work zones. Together, we will work to pave our way towards a brighter, safer and more connected Mississippi.”
Work zone safety
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.