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MDOT suspending work, keeping eye on traffic ahead of busy travel weekend
JACKSON, MISS. – Mississippians planning to hit the road to spend time with family and friends this Christmas and New Year’s will notice less travel delays due to construction. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will suspend all interstate and four-lane highway work in anticipation of increased holiday travel.
MDOT crews and contractors will halt all road construction requiring lane closures beginning today at 5 p.m. through Tuesday, December 26, at 6 a.m., and from 5 p.m., Friday, December 29, until 6 a.m., Tuesday, January 2. This will provide maximum travel capacity and minimal construction delays to motorists traveling throughout the state during the holidays.
“Even though no highway construction work will be occurring across the state, motorists should be aware that some lane closures will remain in place,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT executive director. “These lanes closures are there to protect motorists, and MDOT urges drivers to treat these areas as active work zones.”
Motorists are urged to continue to pay attention to work zones, which can present unfamiliar driving patterns. Motorists should slow down when approaching and traveling through work zones, and always avoid distracted driving.
“MDOT wants to make travel safe and convenient for the public over the next two holiday weekends,” McGrath said. “While MDOT construction crews won’t be working, staff be putting additional effort into monitoring the state’s highways to make sure everyone is able to enjoy the holiday weekend safely.”
That additional efforts come from MDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC). Using traffic cameras, congestion analysis technology, radar and temperature sensors, along with local agency communication, the TMC observes the most traveled highways in the state to ensure the safety and mobility of the traveling public.
MDOT’s TMC is the nerve center of Mississippi’s highway management system. Information is collected, verified and disseminated to necessary stakeholders like the media, other state and local agencies, and the traveling public. The TMC is staffed 24/7 with locations in Jackson, Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast. MDOT’s TMC also shares important travel information with neighboring state departments of transportation. This collaboration ensures the traveling public has the most up to date information possible.
At the click of a button, important traveler information about Mississippi’s highways is sent to approximately 500,000 people across the state. The TMC releases traveler information through various channels.
Traffic alerts are sent via email or text to subscribers who sign up on MDOTTraffic.com.
Information is released through MDOT’s smartphone app.
Travel information and alerts are accessible by calling Mississippi 511.
Dynamic Message Signs
Highway Advisory Radios
Social media outlets
“Using these communication channels, MDOT is able to quickly and effectively notify the public of concerns that may affect their travel plans,” McGrath said. “MDOT’s three free travel resources provide an opportunity for Mississippians to know before they go this holiday weekend.”
MDOTTraffic.com
MDOTTraffic.com is one website with multiple options and a mobile version. Travelers can locate welcome centers and rest areas, view live traffic feeds via cameras on major Mississippi highways, and sign up for email or text alerts about traffic delays and road conditions, and customize alerts according to a trip or daily commute.
MDOT Traffic App
This free smartphone app is designed as a mobile companion for MDOTTraffic.com. Here, travelers can access traffic alerts, traffic cameras and traveler information by a specific trip or route. The smartphone app is available from the App Store and Google Play.
Mississippi 511
A free service available 24/7, callers can dial 511 for on demand, route specific information along U.S. interstates and state highways. Mississippi 511 complements other travel resources – MDOTTraffic.com and the MDOT Traffic mobile app.
“MDOT wants to ensure that everyone enjoys this holiday season with loved ones by making it to their holiday destination safely,” McGrath said.
