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Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in southwest Mississippi.
“During the busy summer construction season, crews made major progress on a considerable number of infrastructure projects in the region,” said Busby. “Whether it’s a minor resurfacing project or a large-scale bridge replacement, the work happening in southwest Mississippi reflects our commitment to improving traveling conditions for motorists and positioning our state for economic growth, all while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
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 continues. Rubblization has begun on the outside lanes from U.S. 98/Presley Blvd. (Exit 15) to Delaware Ave. (Exit 17), and median work is ongoing within the same area. 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 installing plate girders, cross frames and lateral bracing on the new eastbound 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
Work is ongoing to replace 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, and the contractor has finished pouring all bridge caps and is placing girders.
This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace. Phase I of the project is expected to wrap up in 2025, and Phase II is estimated to be complete by 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 implementing necessary fixes following a setback that occurred during girder installation. Subgrade and base treatment are complete, and the contractor is removing two caps. Pre-stressed concrete girder installation will resume once all corrective measures have been completed.
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.
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 in the median and are now concentrating clearing efforts on the outside, northbound lanes.
The $7.3 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven and is expected to be complete this fall.
Two mill and overlay projects now complete on U.S. 49 in Covington County
A mill and overlay project is now complete on approximately five miles of U.S. 49 from Richard Kendrick Dr. to Seminary in Covington County. The $3.6 million project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel.
Another mill and overlay project is also now complete from the Forrest County line to Richard Kendrick Dr. on approximately five miles of U.S. 49 in Covington County. The $3.1 million project was awarded to APAC of Jackson.
For both projects, paving is complete and permanent stripe and rumble strip installation remains. The two projects are expected to wrap up this summer.
Intersection improvement project ongoing at State Route 28 and 37 in Smith County
A project is ongoing 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 traffic signal is in place, and traffic has been shifted to the new alignment. Remaining work includes driveway installation, curb and gutter installation, some drainage and paving work as well as permanent stripe placement.
The $5.5 million project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel and should be complete this fall.
Overlay and roundabout project now complete on State Route 27 in Lawrence County
In Lawrence County, a project is now complete to construct a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 27 and Thomas Jolly Dr. and overlay eight miles of SR 27 from Dewey Ballard Rd. to just north of U.S. 84.
The $5.3 million project was awarded to Walters Construction of Laurel.
Mill and overlay project on U.S. 98 nears completion in Pike County
All work is complete with the exception of a final inspection 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.
Bridge replacement project now complete on State Route 184 in Jefferson Davis County
Work is now complete on a $4.5 million bridge replacement project on State Route 184 over White Sand Creek in Jefferson Davis County.
The project was awarded to N.L. Carson Construction of Carthage and is expected to wrap up in 2025.
Overlay on State Route 43 in Marion County now complete
A project is now complete in Marion County to overlay 12 miles of State Route 43 from the Pearl River County line to State Route 13. The contractor has placed delineators on guardrails and has begun permanent striping.
The $4.1 million project was awarded to Southern Paving of Foxworth.
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 has begun. Work is complete in Lawrence County and crews are now concentrating efforts in Pike County.
The $3.9 million project was awarded to Magnolia Utility Services and is expected to be complete this winter.
Seal and overlay project nears completion on State Route 28 in Simpson County
Crews are preparing for final stripe placement on a project to seal and overlay approximately eight miles of State Route 28 from the Strong River to State Route 13 in Simpson County.
The $3.2 million project was awarded to APAC and is expected to be complete this fall.
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 begun paving the frontage road.
The project was awarded to Walters Construction and is expected to be complete in spring 2026.
Overlay now complete on U.S. 61 in Adams County
A $2.3 project is now complete to overlay approximately six miles of U.S. 61 from Washington to the Jefferson County line in Adams County. The contract was awarded to APAC.
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.
