MDOT highlights construction projects throughout East Mississippi

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.

“We are well into maintenance and construction season here in central Mississippi, and I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made throughout the district,” said Commissioner Simmons. “Please continue to stay vigilant when driving in and around these work zones. Slow down, cut out driving distractions like cell phones, and watch out for our crews, contractors, and other roadside personnel.”

State Route 19 expansion in Neshoba County

The expansion of State Route 19 from two to four lanes from House to Tucker in Neshoba County is steadily progressing. The primary scope of work entails the construction of nine bridges, two new northbound lanes, and the reconstruction of the existing SR 19 to serve as the two new southbound lanes.

Five bridges are complete. The two remaining bridges in the new northbound lanes are under construction. The last two bridges will be constructed when traffic is switched to the new northbound lanes. All box culverts have been installed. Crews are continuing to haul unclassified material throughout the project, as well as clearing and grubbing efforts.

The $97.4 million project was awarded to W.G. Yates & Son Construction Company of Philadelphia. The project has an estimated completion date of spring 2028.

Bridge replacements on U.S. 51 in Madison County and U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale County

A massive project that calls for the replacement of 13 bridges on U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale counties and U.S. 51 in Madison County continues.

The first portion of the project is on U.S. 80 in Newton County and provides for the replacement of Bridge Nos. 110.8, 111.7, 114.8, and 121.4. All four sites have been cleared. Crews have begun removing Bridge 111.7 and will get to Bridge 110.8 next. All sites are in good condition, and deck pours will soon begin.

The second portion of the project provides the replacement of Bridge Nos. 122.5, 123.1, 123.3, and 123.5 on U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale County. All four sites have been cleared, and the removal of each bridge will take place next. U.S. 80 remains closed approximately one mile east of Adams St. in Chunky. Traffic control and detour signage are in place to direct traffic around the closure via I-20.

The third portion of the project provides the replacement of Bridge Nos. 124.7, 126.6, 130.0, 130.1, and 130.4 on U.S. 51 in Madison County. Each site has been cleared. Work is underway on the two closed U.S. 51 bridges between Tithelo Rd. and Way Rd. Crews have one deck pour left on Bridge C and anticipate pouring Bridge D in the coming weeks.

The prime contractor of the nearly $88 million project is Cotton Creek Transport, Inc. of Laurel. The scheduled completion date for all work is fall 2028.

Roundabout construction at State Route 15/16 interchange in Neshoba County

Roundabout construction at the intersection of State Route 15 and State Route 16 in Philadelphia continues to make progress. Phase I is complete, including the removal and replacement of the Weyerhaeuser St. and Lakeside Dr. bridges.

All Phase I and II work, which includes construction of the roundabout, is complete. The traffic pattern shift to the Phase III configuration took place in May.

The nearly $9 million project was awarded to Cook & Son, LLC of Smithville. Work remains on track to be completed in spring 2027.

I-20 mill and overlay in Newton County

A mill and overlay of seven miles of I-20 from 5.1 miles east of State Route 15 to 2.3 miles east of the Chunky River is nearing completion in Newton County. The project includes improvements to state-maintained overpasses at Gentry Rd. and Experiment Station Rd.

The scope of work includes failed area repairs, guardrail upgrades, cross-drain repairs, resealing of bridge joints, and performing epoxy repairs on bridges. Mainline paving, failed area repairs, tree clearing operations, and drainage repairs are complete. Remaining work includes bridge repair, undersealing work, and permanent striping.

The $12.4 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. Remaining work is on track to wrap up this summer.

ITS installation on I-59/20 in Meridian

A project to install Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) along I-59/20 from 1.5 miles south of I-20, I-20 from two miles west of I-59 to I-59, I-59/20 to 1.3 miles northeast of U.S. 45, and one mile northeast of the weigh station, continues in Lauderdale County.

The components being installed include cameras to monitor traffic and dynamic message signs to update and inform drivers. The contractor is currently boring conduit for the fiber optic installation, installing pull boxes, and pouring foundations.

The $3.7 million contract was awarded to R&W Electric Company of Collinsville. Work is on track to be completed by fall 2026.

U.S. 80 bridge repair in Newton County

Bridge repair work on U.S. 80 over the Chunky River in Newton County is complete. The scope of the repairs included riverbank reshaping and installation of rip-rap to stabilize riverbanks.

The $122,000 project was awarded to Simmons Erosion Control, Inc. of Lake.

Mill and overlay of State Route 16 and State Route 39 Connector in Kemper County

The mill and overlay of 13 miles of State Route 16 from the Neshoba County line to east of Watkins Rd., along with the mill and overlay of 0.3 miles of the State Route 39 Connector from SR 39 south to SR 39 north in Kemper County, is nearly complete.

The scope included repairing failed areas, guardrail upgrades, and sign replacement. Only permanent sign replacement remains.

The $5.9 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen of Jackson. The remaining work will be completed in the coming weeks.

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