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JACKSON, MISS.—Crews are currently placing the final big beam over the Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR) for the new Interstate 20 bridge being constructed between Terry Road and Gallatin Street in Jackson.
This is the seventh and final 170-foot concrete beam being placed over the railroad. Weighing in at over 200,000 pounds each, these massive concrete beams are the largest pre-stressed simple spans in Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) history. Crews will continue setting beams in the middle span of the new bridge in the weeks ahead.
Motorists traveling the area have likely noticed a large red lifting frame on site being used to lift the massive 170-foot beams over the railroad. This also marks the first time the department has used such a device, called a self-propelled modular transport (SPMT) lifting frame.
Download drone video showing the first concrete beam being placed over the railroad on Wednesday, December 2, HERE. Download footage of the third and fourth beams prior to being set on site Friday, December 4, click HERE.
The $42.2 million project was awarded to Key, LLC, of Madison. Work began on the I-20 eastbound bridge replacement project in March and expected to be completed by summer 2022. The bridge spans U.S. Highway 51, Interstate 55 south and the ICRR in Jackson. The new bridge is being built on a new alignment to keep closures to a minimum during construction.
Once complete, the existing bridge will be demolished. Additional work includes slide repairs, slope stabilization along the ICRR and traffic sensor installations within Hinds and Rankin counties. Crews will also widen the roadway along I-20 eastbound and U.S. 51 north for the new bridge alignment.
To stay updated on the temporary lane and ramp closures associated with the I-20 bridge replacement project in Jackson, visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the free MDOT Traffic app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
