MCCOMB, MS — Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District, announces updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects in southwest Mississippi.

“Significant progress is being made on infrastructure projects in southwest Mississippi with even more to come as construction season heats up this summer,” King said. “Bridge replacements, slide repairs, and overlay projects in the area will greatly improve the safety of motorists as well as the efficiency of our state’s supply chain. I look forward to more progress with warmer temperatures and increased funding.”

A project to replace three bridges on State Route 149 in Simpson County recently began. The Sellers Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 128.6), the Dabbs Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 131.7), and the Dabbs Creek Relief Box Bridge on SR 149 are being replaced and are closed while the project is underway.

The Sellers Creek Bridge has been removed and work has begun to remove the Dabbs Creek Bridge and Dabbs Creek Relief Box Bridge. Test piles have been driven and earthwork is underway at the Sellers Creek Bridge. At the Dabbs Creek Bridge and the Dabbs Creek Relief Box Bridge, crews are preparing to drive test piles and clearing and earthwork is underway.

This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace of Columbia, and Phase I of the project is expected to wrap up in summer 2024. Phase II will involve the replacement of the Strong River Bridge and will begin after Phase I is complete.

A $17.2 million project to overlay 10 miles of U.S. 49 from Magee to Mendenhall and to make intersection improvements on U.S. 49 from Goodwater Road to First Avenue is progressing. Paving is underway and taking place at night to minimize traffic disruptions. Crews are working on median improvements. The contract was awarded to APAC - Mississippi, Inc. of Richland and is expected to be completed in summer 2024.A project to mill and overlay approximately 8 miles of U.S. 61 from Kingston to St. Catherine Creek in Adams County is underway. Permanent striping and new signals are awaiting installation. Mainline paving has been completed. This $8.5 million contract was awarded to APAC and is expected to be completed in summer 2023.An overlay project is underway on 5 miles of U.S. 98 from Industrial Park Road to Old Highway 98 East. Work on traffic signals is complete. Scrub seal and overlay will begin this summer. The $5.2 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven and is expected to be completed fall 2023.A $4.7 million project is now underway to mill and overlay approximately 11 miles of State Route 149 from Mendenhall to north of Braxton in Simpson County. Mainline paving is complete. Remaining work includes paving local roads, driveways, shoulder work, and permanent striping. This project was awarded to APAC and is expected to be completed summer 2023.A project to mill and overlay approximately two miles of U.S. 98 (Pressley Boulevard) from I-55 East to U.S. 51 is now complete in Pike County. The $2.3 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc.Slide and erosion repairs are underway on U.S. 61 approximately 0.9 miles north of Kingston Road in Adams County. Work is complete on the first of three project sites, and work continues on the remaining two. This $2.9 million contract was awarded to Dozer, LLC of Natchez and is expected to be completed summer 2023.A mill and overlay project recently began on State Route 43 in Lawrence County from the Jefferson Davis County line to County Road 43A. Mainline paving is complete, and crews are working on driveway pads and local road tie-ins. This $2.2 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. and is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.