Information Courtesy of MDOT
Commissioner Dick Hall, chair, Mississippi Transportation Commission has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects throughout the Mississippi Delta region.
Debris removal efforts ongoing
A project to remove hazardous debris obstructing or lying within MDOT right of way will soon be underway. This includes SR 465 in Warren and Issaquena Counties, SR 16 from Rolling Fork to the Little Sunflower River, SR 16 extending three miles north of Holly Bluff, US 61 from SR 465 to the Washington County Line and SR 14 from Anguilla to Louise.
“So far, we’ve been fortunate enough to not have any damages that were beyond the point of repair,” said Commissioner Hall. “We continue asking for the traveling public’s patience as crews work to clear all remaining debris from this year’s flood.”
Roadway extension project in Warren County
A project to extend the I-20 South Frontage Road to US 80 has recently been awarded and construction will start soon. The project will extend the existing south Frontage Road from where it currently dead ends at Old Highway 27 to US 80 (SR 822).
Additionally, five bridges on I-20 within the city limits of Vicksburg were identified as needing new bridge railing and other minor repairs. Work on the I-20 bridges will begin once the South Frontage Road project is complete. Work is set to begin this fall.
Bridge replacements continue in Hinds and Copiah County
A project to replace three bridges and a box bridge on SR 18 is underway in Hinds and Copiah County. The new deck is being poured at the Bayou Pierre Bridge. On the western side, asphalt has been placed on the new roadway alignment. On the east side, dirt work is underway on the new roadway alignment.
The box bridge at White Oak Tributary #2 is under construction. Traffic is using an onsite detour road that was built for use during construction.
The third bridge (over White Oak Tributary #1) is also under construction. Crews are currently working on the substructure of the bridge while existing roadway alignment is being reconstructed. Demolition on the fourth bridge over White Oak Creek is scheduled to begin later this month.
A project to repair five slides at four sites along the I-55 corridor in Copiah County began in June 2019. Crews have finished leveling pavement at each site and currently have repaired one slide. The project is scheduled to be complete by summer 2020.
Preservation projects move forward despite flooding
Last year, work began on a project to widen and restore the pavement of approximately four miles of SR 14 from the intersection of SR 1 to SR 826 in Issaquena and Sharkey County. All widening work is complete and pavement operations are underway. Remaining work is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2019.
In Claiborne and Jefferson Counties, a project to overlay approximately six miles of SR 522 from Alcorn State University to US 61 has recently been awarded. Work is scheduled to be completed next summer.
“Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones,” said Hall. “When approaching work zones, be sure to slow down, pay attention to all posted signage and be on high alert for roadside workers.”
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.
