YAZOO CITY, MS — Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in western Mississippi.
“As we turn the page on another year, we are pleased to announce progress on many projects throughout western Mississippi,” Simmons said. “Your tax dollars are hard at work improving our roads and bridges.”
Construction continues on the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass in Washington County. The first phase began in March 2022 and provided the construction of 9 miles of four-lane roadway from State Route 1 to Leland. Phase II runs from SR 1 to the Mississippi River bridge. It provides cement stabilization and paving of approximately 7 miles of the newly constructed U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass.
Haxton Road, Flannagan Road, and State Route 454 have opened to traffic on a new alignment. The entire project has at least two lifts of asphalt. Crews are placing shoulder gravel and installing cable barrier throughout the project. Asphalt operations continue as weather permits.
“Crews are making significant progress on this massive construction project that promises to enhance safety and alleviate traffic throughout the region,” Simmons said. “This $216 million project will enhance safety by taking vehicles carrying chemicals and other hazardous products from our communities along U.S. 82.”
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The remainder of the project is on track to be completed in fall 2025. The $216 million project was awarded to Eutaw Construction of Madison, Mississippi.
Repairs on the State Route 28 bridge over the Pearl River at the Copiah/Simpson County line are underway. The 80-year-old steel truss bridge was struck last year by an over-height vehicle traveling westbound that caused significant structural damage, forcing MDOT officials to close the bridge.
Several sway bracings were struck during the crash, damaging the load-bearing components of the bridge. Due to the large and complex design of the bridge built in the 1940s, a significant amount of preliminary engineering work had to be completed to ensure the bridge does not fail during the repair.
Most of these efforts include the design of the shoring, which supports the structure while the damaged parts are removed and replaced. The shoring transfers the weight of the structure into the piers and to the ground. Five shoring points have been designed and approved since the bridge was struck. The largest shore point, the lynchpin to the entire structure, will be held up by a large steel tower that is being erected.
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“I applaud our dedicated district and bridge engineers for their careful review, design, and execution of this critical bridge repair. If the shoring is not designed and built correctly, the bridge could be at risk of collapse, which is why this process must be completed as carefully as possible,” Simmons said. “As Commissioner, I appreciate the patience of surrounding businesses and drivers in the area for allowing us to get this assessment and repair process completed as quickly and safely as possible. Every effort is being made to expedite the repair process and reopen the bridge as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The $1.5 million repair project was awarded to Southern Road & Bridge, LLC of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Work is expected to be completed this spring.
A project to replace three bridges on State Route 16/149 over the Yazoo River Floodway Channels is making significant progress. The work requires the complete closure of SR 16/149 between West Levee Road and Whittington East Levee Road in Yazoo County. The contractor has completed Bridges A and C, and is in the process of setting the structural steel for Bridge B.
“We appreciate the public’s patience to allow our crews to get these bridges replaced as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Simmons said. “Once complete, residents and businesses will have a safer set of bridges to carry loads across SR 16/149.”
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Remaining work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The $27.9 million project was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison.
A project to replace a bridge over Little White Oak Creek on State Route 27 continues making headway in Copiah County. Crews are pouring the bridge deck and working on approach slabs. Traffic has been placed on the detour as work continues on the permanent alignment.
The $6.9 million project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction Company, Inc. of Laurel, Mississippi. Work is anticipated to wrap up this summer.
A project that calls for the replacement of a bridge on State Route 8 over the Quiver River in Sunflower County is underway. Crews have completed clearing operations and are currently constructing the detour bridge.
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The $7.9 million contract was awarded to Century Construction Group, Inc. of Ridgeland, Mississippi. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
A project just got underway that calls for the restoration of 11 miles of U.S. 49 from 0.8 miles north of Old Highway 49 to the State Route 16/U.S. 49 frontage road just south of Yazoo High School. Crews are currently repairing failed areas in the concrete pavement.
The $29 million project was awarded to APAC-MS. The project is expected to wrap up next fall.
