“As I begin my term as Southern District Transportation Commissioner, I’m excited to ... start off strong with many large projects getting underway in the southwest region of the state,” Busby said. “Several bridge projects recently set in motion will have a positive impact on motorists, marine traffic, and our state’s economy for decades to come. I’m pleased to see funds from the Legislature and federal government at work to enhance infrastructure safety for the traveling public.”
Bridge Replacement on US 98 Begins in Marion County
Work recently began on a project to replace two bridges, both east and westbound, over the Pearl River on U.S. 98 in Marion County. Bank stabilization efforts will also take place to mitigate erosion in the area. Traffic has been shifted to the westbound bridge in a head-to-head configuration to allow for the eastbound bridge replacement. No wide loads will be permitted for the duration of the project. After the eastbound bridge is replaced, the westbound bridge will be replaced and traffic will be shifted onto the new eastbound bridge. The project will bring the bridges up to modern standards, enhancing safety for both motorists and marine traffic. Motorists will benefit from wider lanes, and marine traffic will benefit from fewer columns and less impacts from erosion in the river below. The $57.7 million project was awarded to T.L. Wallace of Columbia and is expected to be completed in 2027.Bridge Replacement on State Route 149 Ongoing in Simpson County
A project is underway to replace three bridges on State Route 149 in Simpson County. The Sellers Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 128.6), the Dabbs Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 131.7), and the Dabbs Creek Relief Bridge on SR 149 are closed while the project is underway. On these three bridges, caps are being formed, beams set, and bridge decks poured. This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace, and Phase I of the project is expected to wrap up in fall 2024. Phase II will involve the replacement of the Strong River Bridge and will begin after Phase I is complete.Bridge Replacement on US 98 Underway in Franklin County
A project began in November to replace an aging truss bridge with a modern post-tension concrete bridge on U.S. 98 over the Homochitto River in Franklin County. U.S. 98 is closed between State Route 556 and Berrytown Road while construction is ongoing. Crews are currently pouring trial shafts and constructing the work bridge platform. The project’s scope of work also includes the construction of new drainage structures on each side of the bridge as well as construction of approximately 2,500 feet of new roadway. This $25.7 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison and is expected to be completed in summer 2026.Overlay, Intersection Improvements Near Completion on US 49 in Simpson County
A $17.2 million project to overlay 10 miles of U.S. 49 from Magee to Mendenhall and make intersection improvements on U.S. 49 from Goodwater Road to First Avenue is underway. All major work items including asphalt paving is complete, and the final stripe is set to be placed as soon as weather conditions allow. The contract was awarded to APAC - Mississippi, Inc. of Richland and is expected to be completed in spring 2024.Overlay Ongoing on US 84 in Jefferson Davis County
Mainline paving is now complete on a project to overlay U.S. 84 from the Lawrence County line to the Covington County line. Next, paving will take place on local roads and shoulder gravel will be placed. This $12.5 million project was awarded to APAC – Mississippi, Inc. and should wrap up summer 2024.Mill and Overlay to Begin Soon on US 49 in Simpson and Covington Counties
A $10 million project to mill and overlay approximately 10 miles of U.S. 49 from Mount Olive to Magee is set to begin this spring. All travel lanes will be milled and overlayed with paved shoulders receiving a fog seal treatment. The contract was awarded to APAC – Mississippi, Inc. and is expected to be completed fall 2024.Mill and Overlay Project Underway on US 98 in Pike and Walthall Counties
Work is now underway on a project to mill and overlay approximately 7 miles of U.S. 98 from the Bogue Chitto River to Industrial Park Road in Pike and Walthall counties. The $6 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven and is expected to be complete in fall 2024.Overlay on US 98 in Walthall County Now Complete
An overlay project is now complete on 5 miles of U.S. 98 from Industrial Park Road to Old Highway 98 East. The $5.2 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen.Widening and Overlay Project to Begin Soon on State Route 569 in Amite County
Work will soon begin on a project to widen and overlay approximately 10 miles of State Route 569 from State Route 24 to Coleman Road in Amite County. The project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen and should wrap up fall 2024.Mill and Overlay Underway on US 84 in Lincoln County
A project is underway in Lincoln County to mill and overlay the paved shoulders, local roads, and crossovers of approximately 5 miles of U.S. 84 from U.S. 51 to Monticello Street Northeast. Asphalt paving is currently underway on the roadway shoulders. Once all the asphalt work is completed, new permanent stripe will be placed. This $2.9 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen and is expected to be completed in spring 2024.Overlay Underway on State Route 43 in Lawrence County
An overlay project is nearing completion on State Route 43 from County Road 43A to State Route 184 in Lawrence County. All work is complete except for final striping, which will be placed when weather conditions allow. The $3 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen and is expected to be completed in spring 2024.
