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MCCOMB, MISS. – Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in southwest Mississippi.
“The southwestern portion of the state is seeing some exciting infrastructure work taking place right now, and its positive effects will be felt for decades to come,” said Busby. “Major interstate work, bridge replacements, intersection improvements and other ongoing projects will ultimately move us toward a safer and more efficient transportation system, built to handle both current and future demands.”
Major resurfacing project on I-55 begins in Pike County
A large infrastructure project in Pike County began in July to resurface five miles of I-55 from State Route 24 to U.S. 98, construct two roundabouts on U.S. 98 at the I-55 interchange 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 and optimize traffic flow at the U.S. 98 interchange.
The roundabout construction process has begun, and the westbound lanes of the U.S. 98 overpass have shifted to a head-to-head configuration in the eastbound lanes to facilitate work. Traffic shifts can be expected at the interchange while construction is underway; however, the U.S. 98 overpass should remain open to traffic. While crews raise the Delaware Ave. overpass, it will be closed to traffic for approximately four weeks, effective July 29. After the Delaware Ave. bridge is raised, other overpasses will close to traffic, one at a time, to allow similar processes to take place.
The nearly $76 million project was awarded to Barriere Construction of Laplace, La. and should wrap up in 2027.
Bridge replacement on U.S. 98 underway in Marion County
Work is progressing on a bridge replacement project over the Pearl River on U.S. 98 in Marion County where both the eastbound and westbound bridges are being replaced. While the eastbound bridge is being replaced, traffic has been shifted to the westbound bridge in a head-to-head configuration. Trial drill shaft foundations are being installed, which will be followed by production shaft foundations. Crews are placing rip-rap on the riverbank to mitigate erosion and address scour issues.
The $57.7 million project was awarded to T.L. Wallace of Columbia and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Bridge replacement on State Route 149 ongoing in Simpson County
A project to replace three bridges on State Route 149 between State Route 13 and U.S. 49 in Simpson County is making headway. The bridge decks are complete on all Phase 1 bridges, and crews are performing earthwork in preparation for paving the approaches.
The bridges are closed to traffic for the duration of the project. This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace, and Phase I of the project is expected to wrap up in 2025. Phase II will involve the replacement of the Strong River Bridge and will begin after Phase I is complete.
Bridge replacement on U.S. 98 underway in Franklin County
An aging truss bridge on U.S. 98 over the Homochitto River is being replaced with a modern post-tension concrete bridge in Franklin County as part of a $25.7 million project.
Drill shaft installation is underway, and crews are constructing box culverts and performing earthwork to build up the approaches. U.S. 98 is closed between State Route 556 and Berrytown Rd. while construction is ongoing.
This $25.7 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison and is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
Mill and overlay project now complete on U.S. 49 in Simpson and Covington counties
Work is complete on a $10 million project to mill and overlay approximately 10 miles of U.S. 49 from Mount Olive to Magee. The contract was awarded to APAC – Mississippi, Inc.
Mill and overlay project now complete on U.S. 98 in Pike and Walthall counties
Work is complete on a project to mill and overlay approximately 7 miles of U.S. 98 from the Bogue Chitto River to Industrial Park Rd. in Pike and Walthall counties. The $6 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen of Brookhaven.
Intersection improvement project ongoing at State Route 28 and 37 in Smith County
A project in Smith County is underway to improve the intersection of State Route 28 and State Route 37 in Taylorsville. Drainage work is ongoing, and crews are placing a pipe along State Route 37. Once construction is complete, State Route 28 and State Route 37 will have a traditional intersection alignment and a traffic signal.
The $5.5 million project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel and should be completed in 2025.
Overlay and roundabout project begins on State Route 27 in Lawrence County
In Lawrence County, a project began in early July to overlay 8 miles of State Route 27 from Dewey Ballard Rd. to just north of U.S. 84. As part of the project, a roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of SR 27 and Thomas Jolly Dr. in Monticello.
The $5.3 million project was awarded to Walters Construction and is expected to be completed winter 2024.
Widening and overlay project complete on State Route 569 in Amite County
Work is complete on a $4.2 million project to widen and overlay approximately 10 miles of State Route 569 from State Route 24 to Coleman Road in Amite County. The project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen.
Bridge replacement project ongoing on State Route 184 in Jefferson Davis County
Work is underway on a $4.5 million bridge replacement project on State Route 184 over White Sand Creek in Jefferson Davis County. Crews are driving production piles and pouring caps. Bridge beams should be delivered and placed within the next month.
The project was awarded to N.L. Carson Construction of Carthage and is expected to wrap up in 2025.
Overlay complete on U.S. 84 in Adams County
A $4.5 million project is now complete in Adams County on approximately 5 miles of U.S. 84 from Dunbarton Rd. to the Franklin County line.
The project was awarded to APAC- Mississippi, Inc.
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.
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