HATTIESBURG, MS — Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District, announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in south Mississippi.
"Such significant infrastructure work is happening in southeast Mississippi and especially the Mississippi Gulf Coast right now," Busby said. "It's exciting to see crews make progress on these large-scale, complex projects, and I look forward to the day when motorists experience the fruits of their labor — more lane capacity, shorter travel times, and ultimately a safer drive. We remain grateful for the funding and cooperation that make projects like these possible."
A major project to widen I-10 from four to six lanes from Diamondhead to County Farm Road in Harrison and Hancock counties is making progress. The outside shoulder of I-10 was recently widened to make room for new lane construction. Crews are now placing stone base in the existing median to support the new westbound lane. Bridge railing was installed on the outer lanes of three bridges being widened along the route.
The project also includes the addition of digital message signs and traffic cameras along this stretch of I-10, as well as the construction of a multi-use path and a noise barrier wall near the Diamondhead exit. Crews will begin driving production piles for the noise barrier wall in November, and earthwork and drainage work is taking place along the multi-use path. The $155 million contract was awarded to Huey P. Stockstill, LLC of Picayune, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed in 2027.
A $66.7 million safety improvement project is underway in Forrest and Jones County on I-59 from the Lamar County line to just south of Moselle. With paving work complete at the I-59 Bouie River bridge approaches, crews will now begin removing concrete pavement from the Bouie River to the Lamar County line, which is the last section of the project. Then, a final layer of asphalt will be applied to the entire 14-mile project to ensure a smooth surface. This project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
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A major project to widen U.S. 49 from four to six lanes from O’Neal Road to north of School Road is making progress. Crews are currently placing stone base to support the new southbound lanes. The project is expected to alleviate congestion in the area and includes the construction of a full continuous flow intersection at State Route 53, the first of its kind in the state of Mississippi. This project is one of eight capacity projects funded through a supplemental appropriation from the Mississippi Legislature in 2023. The $44.9 million project was awarded to Necaise Brothers of Gulfport, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Work is progressing on a $17 million project to reconstruct the I-10 Diamondhead interchange (Exit 16), which involves overpass and ramp widening, the construction of three roundabouts, and the addition of a multi-use path. The I-10 E exit ramp has been widened and is now open to traffic. Crews are performing curb work and forming caps on the overpass. The project was awarded to T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. of Columbia, Mississippi, and is expected to wrap up in 2026.
A $37 million project to mill and overlay I-59 from just north of the Louisiana state line to McNeill is now complete. This project was awarded to Huey P. Stockstill.
Crews are wrapping up pile driving and pouring caps on a $21.9 million bridge replacement project on U.S. 11 over Hobolochitto Creek in Pearl River County. Drainage work is also underway. The new bridge is being constructed adjacent to the existing bridge, minimizing traffic interruptions. The project was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport of Laurel, Mississippi, and is expected to wrap up in late 2025.
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Work is ongoing to construct a pedestrian walkway along U.S. 49 from Turkey Creek to just north of Creosote Road. Crews are placing reinforced concrete pipe to support drainage. The project will also include designated crosswalks and a median barrier. The $14.5 million project was awarded to Necaise Brothers and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Painting is complete and bridge repair work is underway on a bridge preservation project on State Route 63 over the Escatawpa River in Jackson County. The scope of work includes painting the steel, replacing bearing, and placing rip rap in the river to protect the foundations. The $16.9 million project was awarded to Gibson & Associates of Balch Springs, Texas, and is expected to wrap up in fall 2025.
