Mississippi Department of Transportation

MDOT tackles infrastructure improvements in south Mississippi. 

By the Editors of Transportation & Logistics International 

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is nearing completion on a number of infrastructure improvement projects in south Mississippi.

“These district-wide projects are designed to improve safety, efficiency and mobility in this region,” Mississippi Transportation Commission’s Commissioner Tom King stated. “This fall, MDOT urges the public to be mindful of highway construction and maintenance workers who are actively working on these important roadway projects.”

Gulf Coast Improvements

To increase motorist safety, MDOT is constructing a new roundabout at Highway 15 and Lamey Bridge Road in Harrison County. During the construction period, motorists traveling are required to come to a complete stop. During the all-way stop configuration, turning space will be limited and truck traffic is encouraged to find alternate routes. Trucks will be prohibited from making turns onto Lamey Bridge Road from Highway 15 during the all-way stop configuration period.    

Also in the Gulf Coast, MDOT is resurfacing five miles of roadway along Highway 49, two miles south of the Stone County Line in Harrison and Stone Counties. Furthermore, in Hancock County, the state is repairing storm damage on the foundation of bridges across Bayou Lacroix on Highway 43.

Interstate 10 Enhancements

Interstate 10 is being widened from four to six lanes between Ocean Springs and Vancleave. The $40 million project, targeted for completion in early 2018, will also widen six bridges along the interstate. Lane closures are limited to evening hours.

In addition, MDOT installed a new transportation system along the Interstate 10 corridor in Jackson County. More than 100 video traffic cameras, 50 vehicle detection sensors and 10 overhead electronic message boards were installed. All the components are connected by an underground cable allowing MDOT to improve emergency response times and rapidly restore communication channels during disasters.

Nearly Complete

A number of infrastructure improvements are nearing completion in the Pine Belt region. In Forrest and Lamar counties, an $8.1 million project that involves milling and resurfacing five miles along Interstate 59, is expected to be complete by 2018.

Five bridges are being replaced along Highway 49 in Forrest County. The $8.5 million project is scheduled for completion by summer 2018. In Hattiesburg, $10 million worth of roadway enhancements are nearing completion on Highway 49, from Highway 98 to Camp Shelby.

This fall, the resurfacing of Highway 184 from Highway 63 to Highway 45 in Waynesboro, should be complete. The resurfacing of Highway 84 in Wayne County was completed this summer.

Pearl River

MDOT has several projects in progress in Pearl River County. That includes a $5 million reconstruction project and roughly $1.5 million in bridge repairs. In Picayune and Henleyfield, the reconstruction of Highway 43 should be complete by summer 2018.

This summer, the state started repairing the bridge along Highway 26, which suffered flood damage. “Many of our bridges need to be replaced, but we can make repairs to others in order to maximize their lifespan,” King stated. “With limited funding for bridge replacements, it is critical that we keep our bridges in good shape.”