YAZOO CITY, MS — Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District, announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintenance projects in western Mississippi.

“These projects show your tax dollars at work,” Simmons said. “As crews work to complete these projects, motorists are reminded to slow down and be on high alert for roadside workers this fall.”

Crews recently completed traffic signal improvements along the U.S. Highway 82 and State Route 1 corridors in Washington County. Work included new roadway striping along with the installation of fiber optic cable for the new signal systems and new traffic signs. Webster Electric Company, Inc., of Collinsville, was awarded the $5.5-million project.

In Holmes County, an overlay of 12 miles of U.S. 49E from State Route 12 at Tchula to the Leflore County line and 0.2 miles of State Route 818 from U.S. 49E to the railroad track is nearly complete. APAC-Mississippi, Inc., of Jackson, was awarded the $4.2-million project. Only installation of permanent striping remains.

In Issaquena County, an overlay of 6.5 miles of U.S. Highway 61 from the Warren County line to the Sharkey County line is nearly complete. APAC-Mississippi, Inc. was awarded the $2.1-million contract. Only installation of permanent striping remains.

A project is underway to repair a slide on U.S. 61 southbound just north of the Adams County line in Jefferson County. All piles have been driven as crews begin the slide repair. The $1.4-million project was awarded to Midway Construction, Inc., of Roxie. Work is expected to be completed by winter 2021.

A project to extend the existing south frontage road from Old Highway 27 to U.S. Highway 80 remains underway in Warren County. Five I-20 bridges within the Vicksburg city limits will also receive new bridge railings and other minor repairs. Once the south frontage road is complete, work on the I-20 bridges will begin. The $19.9-million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace Construction, Inc., of Columbia. Work is expected to be completed spring 2023.

In Bolivar County, a seven-mile overlay on State Route 444 from SR 1 to U.S. 61 was recently completed. The $1.8-million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.

In Holmes County, an overlay of 13 miles of State Route 17 from State Route 12 just north of Lexington to the Carroll County line was completed. The $2.1-million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.

In Yazoo County, a 14-mile overlay of State Route 432 from State Route 433 to Interstate 55 has been completed. The $1.8-million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.

“The Mississippi Transportation Commission greatly appreciates the legislature for designating a portion of lottery proceeds to address Mississippi’s maintenance needs,” Simmons said. “Paving projects like these ensure the people and businesses of our state have efficient and reliable infrastructure for travel and the transport of goods and services.”