JACKSON, MS — The Mississippi Department of Transportation's Central Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons recently joined officials to break ground on several Interstate 59/20 improvements in Meridian.

The project provides for the widening of the Interstate 59/20 bridges over State Route 19/39 and the bridge over 65th Avenue, the removal of the bridges over Knight Parker Road, and a roadway lighting system upgrade along the I-59/20 corridor through the City of Meridian.

“We understand how critical these improvements are to Meridian and Lauderdale County. The design-build aspect of the project expedites the ability to get the design done as soon as possible,” Simmons said. “Each part of this project will further enhance safety and efficiency for motorists and commercial traffic in Meridian.”

The $24.4-million design-build project was awarded to Key Construction Company with an anticipated completion date of summer 2023.

“Please drive slow and distraction-free along this stretch of roadway for the duration of the project to allow crews to complete this project as safely and efficiently as possible,” Simmons said. “We want to get this done so we can move on to other important projects throughout the area.”