The Mississippi Department of Transportation continues to proceed on projects underway to preserve and maintain highways and bridges in northeast Mississippi.
A $1.1 million project was awarded to Cook & Son LLC for an emergency slide repair on state Route 9 in Choctaw County.
In late February, persistent rains caused a section of highway between Reform-Sturgis Road and State Route 790 to fail. MDOT closed the highway because of dangerous cracking and pavement failure.
The project is scheduled to start this month and be completed this summer.
Construction zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that can cause confusion for some motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.
“Workers may be present on these maintenance and construction projects,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT executive director. “MDOT encourages drivers to slow down in work zones so our crew members can make it home safe to their families.”
Other projects in nearby counties:
U.S. Highway 82 interchage improvements in Lowndes County
The $4.8 million project to improve U.S. Highway 82 interchanges at 18th Avenue and Military Road continues in Columbus.
At the 18th Avenue Interchange, ramps were realigned and widened. Crews have completed pavement work through the intersection. Signal coordination and permanent striping remain to be completed.
At the Military Road Interchange, traffic has been permanently reduced from four lanes to two lanes through the construction area where two new roundabouts will be built. To accommodate the roundabouts, the interchange ramps will be realigned. The westbound exit ramp will also be widened to include a new travel lane.
Crews are currently working on curbs and gutters throughout the project and constructing the median island.
The interchange project was awarded to Gregory Construction Services, Inc., of Columbus, and is expected to be completed this summer, weather permitting.
Bridge maintenance on State Route 389 in Chickasaw County
Elsewhere in the district, a bridge replacement project is underway in Chickasaw County. The $4.2 million project will replace bridges over Chewawah Creek and Cane Creek on State Route 389.
The bridges are being built on a new alignment which will minimize impacts to traffic. Crews are preparing to construct the deck at Cane Creek. At Chewawah Creek, crews are are placing beams in preparation for deck construction. Excessive rain has slowed the project. The site has been flooded several times in this year.
The contractor is Ausbern Construction Company, Inc., and the work is expected to be completed in summer 2020.
