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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.
“Southwest Mississippi is seeing a significant amount of investment in transportation infrastructure right now,” said Busby. “From major highway improvements to safety upgrades, these projects are designed to make travel safer and more reliable for the people who depend on these roads every day. Even more progress lies ahead as we continue advancing projects across the region.”
Major resurfacing project on I-55 underway in Pike County
Progress continues on a large infrastructure project in Pike County 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.
All overpasses have been raised and roundabout construction at the U.S. 98 interchange at Summit is nearly complete with traffic now shifted onto the roundabouts. Four loop ramps at the interchange have been permanently closed. Rubblization is ongoing from Veteran’s Blvd./State Route 570 (Exit 18) to Summit/U.S. 98 (Exit 20), with the inside lanes now rubblized and a lift of asphalt applied. Rubblization is a process by which existing concrete is reduced to rubble and forms the new base of the roadway before it is overlaid with asphalt.
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 makes progress in Marion County
Both eastbound and westbound bridges over the Pearl River are being replaced as part of a project on U.S. 98 in Marion County. The project also includes bank stabilization efforts to help mitigate erosion and address scour issues. The eastbound bridge is being replaced first, and traffic has been shifted to the westbound bridge in a head-to-head configuration while construction is underway.
Crews are pouring the concrete deck on the new eastbound bridge, and traffic is expected to be shifted onto the new bridge in a head-to-head configuration this spring while crews begin work on the westbound bridge.
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 moves forward in Simpson County
The contractor continues to pour deck spans as temperatures allow on the last bridge in a project to replace a total of four bridges on State Route 149 between State Route 13 and U.S. 49 in Simpson County. The Strong River bridge is closed to traffic while construction takes place.
This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace. Phase I of the project wrapped up in 2025, and Phase II is estimated to be complete by summer 2026.
Bridge replacement on U.S. 98 continues 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. U.S. 98 is closed between State Route 556 and Berrytown Rd. while construction is ongoing.
Crews are working on installing the final beams and girders and will then begin pouring the concrete deck.
This $25.7 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Safety improvement project underway on U.S. 49 in Simpson County
An $11 million project to improve the safety of the U.S. 49 corridor from State Route 13 to just past State Route 149 is currently underway. The scope of the work includes clearing right-of-way and implementing traffic safety countermeasures at hazardous intersections. The contractor has begun the reconstruction of East St. and U.S. 49 South. Contractor continuing reconstruction of all turnouts, bulbouts, and acceleration lanes along Hwy 49 N & S and working on Hwy 13 & East Street.
The project was awarded to T.L. Wallace and is expected to wrap up in summer 2026.
Overlay project ongoing on I-55 in Pike and Lincoln counties
An overlay project is ongoing on I-55 from just south of the Bogue Chitto interchange (Exit 30) to the U.S. 98 interchange at Summit (Exit 20A) in Pike and Lincoln counties. The scope of work includes clearing trees and removing and replacing a layer of open-graded friction course (OGFC) asphalt to the interstate. Crews have completed clearing and asphalt work will begin when temperatures are conducive to placement.
The $7.3 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven and is expected to be complete this fall.
Roundabout construction project underway in Lincoln County
Work has begun on a $5.5 million project to improve the Brookway Blvd. interchange on I-55 in Lincoln County. The scope of work includes the construction of two roundabouts to the east and west of the interstate, lighting and drainage upgrades and paving. The improvements are expected to enhance safety and traffic flow in the area.
The project was awarded to T.L. Wallace and is expected to conclude in fall 2026.
Overlay ongoing on U.S. 84 in Franklin County
Mainline paving has been completed on a project to overlay approximately eight miles of U.S. 84 from Chambers Rd. to Middle Fork Creek in Franklin County. The contractor is working on crossovers, local roads and driveway pads.
The $5.7 million project was awarded to APAC and is expected to be completed this summer.
Intersection improvement project complete at State Route 28 and 37 in Smith County
A now complete in Smith County to implement a traditional intersection with a traffic signal at the intersection of State Route 28 and State Route 37 in Taylorsville.
The $5.5 million project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel.
Mill and overlay project on U.S. 98 now complete in Pike County
All work is complete on a $5.3 million project to mill and overlay U.S. 98 from just east of Van Norman Curve to the Bogue Chitto River.
The project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen.
Tree removal project underway in Lawrence, Lincoln and Pike counties
A project to cut dead trees along all state-maintained routes in Lawrence, Lincoln and Pike counties is now complete.
The $3.9 million project was awarded to Magnolia Utility Services.
Seal and overlay project now complete on State Route 28 in Simpson County
A project to seal and overlay approximately eight miles of State Route 28 from the Strong River to State Route 13 is now complete in Simpson County.
The $3.2 million project was awarded to APAC and is expected to be complete this fall.
Overlay underway on State Route 35 in Smith County
A project to overlay six miles of State Route 35 from State Route 18 to State Route 481 is underway in Smith County. Clearing has been completed and the contractor has begun placing mainline asphalt. The project will improve sight distance and safety in the area.
Hayes General Construction, LLC was awarded the $2.5 project contract, and it is expected to be complete this summer.
Intersection improvement project underway on U.S. 49 and State Route 35 in Covington County
A $2.1 million project has begun to make intersection improvements at U.S. 49 and State Route 35 in Covington County. The project scope includes reconstruction of the frontage road as well as traffic signal improvements. The contractor has completed the signal improvements, installing new signal heads and mast arms, and crews are finishing the frontage road.
The project was awarded to Walters Construction and is expected to be complete in spring 2026.
Overlay project underway on U.S. 51 from Osyka to Magnolia in Pike County
Clearing operations have been completed on a project to overlay U.S. 51 from Osyka to Magnolia in Pike County, and asphalt crews have begun paving on this route.
The $2.6 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen and is expected to wrap up this summer.
Intersection improvement project begins on U.S. 49 in Simpson County
A safety improvement project is now underway at the intersections of U.S. 49 and State Route 149 and U.S. 49 and Siloam Rd. in Simpson County. The scope of work includes widening lanes, improving traffic flow and adding traffic signals. Roadway work is taking place currently as well as signal installation.
The $1.8 million project was awarded to T.L. Wallace and is expected to be completed this summer.
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.
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