NEWTON, MS — Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District, announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi.The 4.6-mile expansion of State Route 19 from two to four lanes between Tucker and Philadelphia continues making headway in Neshoba County. The first phase is underway and includes the construction of the new northbound lanes, reworks side roads onto the west side of the existing SR 19, and constructs the new intersection at Tucker Elementary School. Other work underway includes borrow excavation, excess excavation, erosion control installation, box culvert construction, paving, and other work items.

Once the first phase is complete, two-way traffic will be switched to the newly constructed road so work can begin on the second phase, which consists of rehabilitating portions of the existing SR 19 and reconstructing other areas that require new cross drains and box culverts. The third phase will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, place the final lift of asphalt, and provide permanent striping.

“This stretch of roadway has seen a steady increase in traffic. Expanding to four lanes, along with the new grade, will offer much smoother riding conditions, showcasing the significant progress in the area,” Simmons said. “All traffic — from commuters and school traffic to commercial traffic — will experience a safer and less congested drive along SR 19 next year.”

The $36 million contract was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction of Philadelphia. The project is expected to wrap up in 2024.

Through the city of Meridian, a design-build project is making headway, which involves widening the I-59/20 bridges over State Route 19/39 and the bridge over 65th Avenue, as well removing the bridges over Knight Parker Road. It also includes a roadway lighting system upgrade through Meridian along I-59/20.

In January, the design phase of the project was completed. Crews have completed traffic shifts at the 65th Avenue site and the SR 19/39 bridge site. Pile driving efforts are complete, and crews continue pouring concrete at each location. The Knight Parker Road bridges have been replaced with roadway fill, and widening of the shoulders at the 65th Avenue bridge and SR 19/39 sites remain underway. The lowering of SR 19/39 has been completed with the exception of the final lift of asphalt.

“The design-build aspect of the project expedites the ability to get the design done as soon as possible, and each part of this project will further enhance safety and efficiency for motorists and commercial traffic in Meridian,” Simmons said.

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

A project to mill and overlay 1.5 miles of State Route 463 from the end of the two-lane section to east of Main Street in Madison County is nearly complete. Work includes upgrading the existing traffic signal systems to radar detection and concrete sidewalk repairs. ADA ramps and sidewalk repairs are complete.

The $5.1 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen of Jackson. Remaining work includes the application of thermoplastic pavement markings. This will be completed once weather conditions allow.

A mill and overlay of approximately eight miles of State Route 35 in Scott County from the Smith County line to I-20 is nearly complete. Crews have finished all paving and gravel work. Permanent striping remains.

The $6.4 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi of Jackson. The project is expected to be completed once weather conditions are favorable enough to apply thermoplastic stripe.

A lottery funded mill and overlay of 18 miles of State Route 18 from the end of the Copiah County line to the beginning of the four-lane section near Raymond is underway. The scope includes repairing failed areas, repairing and replacing cross drainpipes, and widening portions of the roadway. Crews have completed the punchouts and pipe repair.

The nearly $8 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt, Inc. of Byram. The estimated completion date is summer 2023.

This spring, MDOT will let a project that will pave I-20 between the Stack and State Route 18 and I-55 between Elton Road and the Stack.

“This is a heavily traveled and dangerous roadway to make repairs like this. Instead of performing this work overnight and taking months to complete, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, we are currently planning to hold two shutdown periods — one for each direction — that will last up to 10 days,” Simmons said. “This will give crews 24 hours a day to perform the work and get it done as quickly as possible.”

A mill and overlay of three miles of State Route 22 from the beginning of the five-lane section to U.S. 51 is underway in Madison County. All sidewalk repairs and ADA ramp installation is complete. The new radar detection signals have been installed and are functional.

Remaining work is anticipated to wrap up this summer. The $3.8 million contract was awarded to AJ Construction, Inc. of Jackson.

A project will soon mill and overlay two miles of State Route 43 from just south of I-20 to Pelahatchie. Work includes repairing failed areas, replacing the damaged concrete paved ditch, installing edge drains, and upgrading guardrail.

The nearly $3 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen. Work is expected to begin next month and anticipated to last through the summer.