HATTIESBURG, MS — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues making improvements to highways in south Mississippi.

“All of the projects underway in south Mississippi focus on two things, making the roadways safer for drivers and increasing economic impact,” said Tom King, Chairman, Mississippi Transportation Commission. “MDOT wants to decrease traffic hazards and increase the quality of life for Mississippians.”

This $11.9-million project was awarded to Mallette Brothers Construction Company, Inc. to make safety improvements on Highway 90 from Pascagoula Street to Chevron Drive in Jackson County.

Different surveys showed there was an issue with sight distance, along with uncoordinated signals. This project will realign the highway’s medians, the turn lanes will be offset, and traffic signals will be coordinated. Crews are currently working on median crossover realignment.

“Highway 90 is heavily used by the traveling public every day; that’s why it’s crucial we make intersection improvements and update the layout of this section of highway,” King said.

Once complete, digital message boards will be placed along the highway. This project is expected to wrap up spring 2022.

Work is expected to begin soon on a safety improvement project in Forrest County. The $41-million project was awarded to T.L Wallace Construction, Inc. The project will include: regrading the roadway and median for better sight distance, adding a shoulder to the southbound lane, and improving drainage.

“This project is very similar to the safety improvement project that was recently completed in Covington County,” said Melinda McGrath, PE, MDOT Executive Director. “By adding a shoulder, drivers will have the ability to pull over safely if necessary. By regrading the median, it could help reduce the severity of a wreck if a driver goes off the roadway.”

Work is predicted to wrap up in spring 2023. 

A project to construct an interchange at Interstate 59 and State Route 42 continues in Forrest County. Crews have poured the bridge foundation and are preparing for work on the beams. A large portion of the ground work has been completed, and a large section of the frontage road has been paved.

Once complete, the project will reconfigure entrance and exit ramps at the Evelyn Gandy Parkway exit on I-59, construct a wider bridge on State Route 42, and add a frontage road on each side of the interstate. The goal of this interchange construction is to alleviate congestion and increase driver safety.

This approximately $24.2-million construction project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders, LLC. The project is currently estimated to be completed in spring 2021.

The majority of the project was completed recently, but additional work will soon get underway to install traffic signals.

The completed worked included: widening County Farm Road and the northeast ramp, adding an additional lane to the exit ramp, and adding turn lanes on County Farm Road for vehicles turning on the interstate ramps. The entire project was also overlaid with asphalt.

The project totals $1.5 million, and was awarded to Simmons Erosion Control Inc.