YAZOO CITY, MS — Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in western Mississippi.

“We are in the midst of summer maintenance season, and projects are making headway throughout the district — many of which are complete or nearly complete,” Simmons said. “These projects show your tax dollars hard at work, and show our commitment to improving safety and efficiency.”

The second phase of the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass construction is underway. The first phase began in March 2022 and provided the construction of 9 miles of four-lane roadway from State Route 1 to Leland in Washington County. 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.

Almost all borrow material is in place from Leland to the Mississippi River Bridge. Ongoing work includes stone matrix asphalt placement, fence installation, mowing, shoulder gravel placement, and bridge work from Leland to SR 1. From SR 1 to the Mississippi River bridge, ongoing work includes chemical stabilization of borrow and clay gravel, paving, placement of shoulder gravel, bridge raid upgrades, and ITS installation.

“This project will enhance safety, removing vehicles carrying chemicals or other hazardous products from the residential and business community on Highway 82 in Greenville, alleviate traffic and improve driving conditions throughout Washington County,” Simmons said. “In addition to the safety benefits, from an economic perspective, the bypass will do great things for the Mississippi Delta region.”

Crews anticipate having Haxton Road and State Route 454 opened to traffic this fall. The remainder of the project is on track to be completed in fall 2025. The $79 million project was awarded to Eutaw Construction of Madison, Mississippi.

A project calling for the replacement of three bridges on State Route 16/149 over the Yazoo River Floodway Channels continues making headway. The work requires the complete closure of SR 16/149 between West Leeve Road and Whittington East Levee Road in Yazoo County.

Crews are pouring approach slabs to Bridge A, working to remove Bridge B, and pouring caps for Bridge C. During the closure, northbound traffic will detour by taking State Route 3 to U.S. 49W north. Southbound traffic will take U.S. 49W south to SR 3 south.

“Area residents, drivers, and businesses can rest assured and know they will have a safer set of bridges to carry loads across SR 16/149,” Simmons said. “Crews will continue working as quickly and efficiently as possible to complete this crucial work.”

Remaining work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The $27.9 million project was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison.

The major 22-mile mill and overlay of I-55 from half a mile north of State Route 17 to the Carroll County line is nearing the finish line. Crews have completed all paving operations and are placing permanent stripe. The $39 million project was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc. of Jackson, Mississippi. Remaining work is estimated to be completed this summer.A mill and overlay project is underway on 12 miles of U.S. 49W from Sunflower to Ruleville. Crews are working to repair failed areas in pavement. The $6 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc. Work is estimated to be complete by winter 2024.A project is underway to replace a bridge over Little White Oak Creek on State Route 27 in Copiah County. The contractor has placed traffic on the detour and is working 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 summer 2025.An overlay of 15 miles of State Route 433 from Benton to the end of state maintenance at Ebenezer-Coxburg Road in Yazoo and Holmes County is making headway. Crews have completed random clearing along the roadway and repaired all failed areas in the pavement. Paving efforts are now underway on the mainline. Remaining work is estimated to be complete in fall 2024. The nearly $5 million project was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.A 15-mile mill and overlay project on State Route 12 recently got underway from U.S. 49W to U.S. 49E in Humphreys and Holmes counties. Crews have completed random clearing efforts and undersealing bridge ends. The $5.5 million project was awarded to AJ Construction, Inc. of Canton, Mississippi. Work is expected to be complete in fall 2024.Work is underway on a project to overlay 16 miles of State Route 448 from State Route 1 to U.S. 61 in Bolivar County. Random clearing and failed pavement repairs are complete. Crews are currently paving the mainline and working to tie in driveway pads and local roads. Remaining work is estimated to wrap up by the end of the summer. The $6.4 million project was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.