MDOT projects make headway in southeast Mississippi

HATTIESBURG, MISS. – Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in south Mississippi.

“As I reach the end of my final term as Southern District Transportation Commissioner, I’m pleased to see many projects in South Mississippi coming to a close and other large improvement projects on the horizon,” said Commissioner Tom King. “Safety has always been my number one priority, and it’s been the honor of my career to play a role in shaping a safer transportation system for our state through infrastructure projects large and small.”

Lottery-funded widening and overlay of State Route 29 complete in Jones County

A $7 million project to widen and overlay State Route 29 from west of I-59 to the intersection of State Route 28 is now complete in Jones County. This project was awarded to Warren Paving of Hattiesburg.

Massive construction project on State Route 57 in Jackson County underway

A $212.6 million project to grade, drain, bridge and pave approximately 9 miles of State Route 57 from I-10 to Vancleave continues to progress. The project will widen SR 57 from two to four lanes and create a new four-lane alignment near the Vancleave area to alleviate area congestion and expand capacity of the roadway, which is a hurricane evacuation route.

Earthwork is ongoing, and drainage and box culverts are being installed. Ten of the project’s 13 bridge sites are currently under construction. Base and paving work is underway or expected to begin soon along West Frontage Road, a SR 57 connector road, Jim Ramsay Rd., Jim Ramsey Rd. detour and Seaman Rd.

The project was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction Company of Jackson and is expected to wrap up in 2027.

Safety improvement project makes progress on I-59 in Forrest County

A safety improvement project is making progress in Forrest County on I-59. This $66.7 million project stretches 14 miles from the Lamar County line to just south of Moselle.

Rubblizing, paving and grading continues between Evelyn Gandy Parkway/State Route 42 (Exit 69) and U.S. 49 (Exit 67A and 67B). The contractor will continue to move south in segments until the project is complete. Drainage structures are being installed in various locations along the outside lanes of I-59 to route excess water away from the interstate. This project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel and is expected to be complete in late summer 2024.

Mill and overlay project underway on I-59 in Pearl River County

A $37 million project is underway to mill and overlay I-59 from just north of the Louisiana state line to McNeill. The project also involves pier protection for bridges, new asphalt with a drainage layer and ramp improvements. A delay in materials delivery has stalled paving work.

This project was awarded to Huey P. Stockstill of Picayune and is expected to be completed summer 2024.

Roundabout construction begins on Shriners Blvd. at I-10 in Harrison County

Construction has begun on two roundabouts to the north and south of I-10 on Shriners Blvd. (Exit 41) in Harrison County. The project scope involves developing two teardrop-shaped roundabouts and extending drainage structures. The project is expected to slow traffic and decrease accidents in the area.

The $2.3 million project was awarded to JLB Contractors, LLC of Long Beach and is expected to wrap up in fall 2024.

Overlay project nearing completion on U.S. 84 in Jones County

A project to overlay U.S. 84 in Jones County from the beginning of state maintenance in Laurel, just west of I-59, to the Wayne County line is nearing completion with only punch list items remaining. This $14 million project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders and should be complete in early 2024.

Safety improvements on U.S. 49 in Forrest County nearing completion

A safety improvement project on U.S. 49 is nearing completion in Forrest County. The project stretches from the Stone County line to South Gate Rd. Paving operations are complete and permanent striping is being installed.

This $41 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace Construction of Columbia and is expected to wrap up in early 2024.

Mill and overlay project on I-59 now complete in Lamar and Pearl River Counties

A $13 million project to mill and overlay 7 miles of I-59 from just south of the Hillsdale interchange to the Lamar County line is now complete. This project was awarded to Warren Paving.

Bridge replacement on State Route 42 in Perry County

Crews have made progress on a bridge replacement project to replace the State Route 42 bridge over Tallahalla Creek in Perry County. The bridge deck is complete, and the bridge railing is expected to be complete in early 2024. Paving is underway on the approach. Once this work is complete, traffic will be diverted onto the new bridge and the old bridge will be removed.

This $17 million project was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport of Laurel. The bridge replacement is expected to be completed in summer 2024.

Mill and overlay underway on U.S. 49 in Forrest County

A $10 million project to mill and overlay U.S. 49 from Myers Creek to U.S. 11 is now underway in Forrest County. The scope of work includes drainage improvements in addition to the overlay. Currently, drainage structures in the area are being widened.

This project was awarded to Warren Paving and is expected to wrap up summer 2024.

Signal and information technology improvement projects in Harrison and Hancock Counties

Following damage sustained by Hurricane Zeta, traffic signals and information technology equipment are being repaired or replaced at 42 intersections along U.S. 90 from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi. The contractor is currently placing underground cables, video detection equipment and traffic signals.

This $5 million project was awarded to Webster Electric of Collinsville. Work is expected to be complete summer 2024.

A similar project is now underway in Harrison County to repair or replace traffic signals and information technology equipment at 51 signalized intersections along U.S. 49, I-10, I-110, State Route 605 and State Route 67. The contractor is placing traffic signal heads. This $3.4 million project was awarded to Powell Construction Services of Vancleave and is expected to wrap up summer 2024.

Bridge replacement project underway on State Route 43 in Pearl River County

A $4.2 million project is underway on State Route 43 in Pearl River County to replace the Hogpen Branch Bridge. Piles, caps, beams and metal decking have been installed and concrete will soon be poured for the bridge deck. SR 43 is closed to through traffic from Pine Grove Rd. to Rock Ranch Rd. while the project is ongoing.

The contract for this project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel and is expected to wrap up spring 2024.

Overlay project complete on U.S. 11 in Pearl River County

Work is now complete on a project to overlay approximately 10 miles of U.S. 11 from Poplarville to the Lamar County line in Pearl River County. The $4.2 million project was awarded to Warren Paving, Inc.

Bridge replacements now complete on State Route 145 in Clarke County

A $4.2 million project to replace Bridge No. 35.0 and Bridge No. 43.8, on State Route 145 in Clarke County is now complete. This project was awarded to T.L. Wallace.

Work zone safety

Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and the highway workers on the side of the road. Work zones can be found throughout the state and often present unfamiliar traffic conditions. Examples of common work zones found on Mississippi highways and a complete list of tips can be found at GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

New project website

MDOT recently launched a new project update webpage that aims to keep the public informed regarding significant, active 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. Access the MDOT projects webpage by visiting GoMDOT.com/Projects.

In addition to the projects webpage, drivers can stay updated with live travel information by downloading the MDOT Traffic mobile app, visiting MDOTtraffic.com and following @MississippiDOT on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X, formerly Twitter.