YAZOO CITY, MS — Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District, announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintenance projects in western Mississippi.Many areas of central Mississippi encountered heavy rainfall throughout the month of February, resulting in pavement failure on several highways. After evaluating the damage at each location and awarding repair projects, MDOT crews worked to reopen these roadways as quickly as possible.

After securing the additional right-of-way needed, work began to repair a stretch of U.S. Highway 80 at Mount Alban Road in Warren County after the roadway suffered severe pavement failure during the downpours. Crews recently reopened U.S. 80 to traffic. The $340,000 project was awarded to Theobald Construction Services, LLC.

The February rains completely washed out a portion of U.S. Highway 49 southbound just south of Yazoo City. After less than two months of construction, MDOT crews reopened U.S. 49. The $1.3-million repair project was awarded to Hemphill Construction Company, Inc.

Just east of Yazoo City, State Route 16 suffered a severe roadway failure, forcing a complete shutdown of the roadway. Work began on the repair project and crews were able to recently reopen this stretch of roadway. The $2.1-million repair project was awarded to Riverside Construction Company, Inc.

MDOT crews worked to remove a truss that was struck by a car hauler, forcing a complete shutdown of Interstate 20 at the Mississippi River bridge in Vicksburg. Foundation bolts were damaged in the crash, forcing crews to cut the truss down. It was then cut into three sections and lifted by cranes onto flatbed trucks to be hauled away. After clearing wreckage and removing the truss, MDOT crews reopened both directions of I-20 by midnight. Officials anticipate the new structure being in place by summer 2021.

Webster Electric Company, Inc., was recently awarded a $5.5-million project to upgrade traffic signals along the U.S. Highway 82 and State Route 1 corridors. Work includes new roadway striping along with the installation of fiber optic cable for the new systems and new traffic signs. Work is underway on the U.S. 82 signals and the project is expected to be completed summer 2021.

A project to extend the existing south Frontage Road from Old Highway 27 to U.S. 80 in Warren County remains underway. The $19.9-million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace Construction, Inc. Additionally, five bridges on I-20 within the Vicksburg city limits were identified as needing new bridge railing and other minor repairs. Once the south Frontage Road is complete, work on the I-20 bridges will begin. Work began in the fall of 2019 and it is expected to be completed spring 2023.