YAZOO CITY, MS — The aftermath of the March 2023 tornado in the Rolling Fork area left devastation in its wake. In the face of such destruction, Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintenance crews rose to the occasion and had roads cleared within hours, ensuring emergency services, relief efforts, and essential supplies could reach those in need.

“The dedication and resilience of MDOT workers, some of whom had lost their own homes, was truly commendable. Their commitment was unwavering as they braved hazardous conditions and worked tirelessly to restore connectivity to affected communities, such as Rolling Fork and Silver City,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. “Thanks to their hard work and perseverance, emergency vehicles, relief workers, and supplies could reach those in need safely and swiftly, saving lives and providing comfort in a time of crisis.”

The Rolling Fork maintenance campus experienced property damage, including trucks with blown out windows, hoods blown off tractors, and damage to the building roof and awnings. Despite the property damage, MDOT crews continue to move forward with several major projects throughout the district.

Crews are making headway on the construction of approximately 9 miles of four-lane highway known as the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass from State Route 1 to Leland. Work began on the major construction project last year. Six of the box culverts have been constructed. Two additional box culverts are in the process of being constructed. As weather permits, borrow excavation, gravel placement, and soil cement and asphalt operations will continue. The $137 million contract was awarded to Eutaw Construction of Madison. Work is on track to be completed fall 2025.A mill and overlay of 11 miles of I-55 from the Lincoln County line to Hazlehurst is progressing in Copiah County. Crews have completed over half of the mainline paving and all clearing operations. They are now repairing a slide on the interstate and paving the mainline toward the southern limits of the project. The $16.1 million contract was awarded to W.E. Blain & Sons of Mount Olive. Remaining work is on track to be completed summer 2023.A mill and overlay on U.S. 82 from U.S. 61 to Indianola is underway. Crews have repaired all failed areas and completed all mainline paving. Paving efforts are currently underway on pads, local roads, and crossovers. The $8.7 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc. of Jackson. Remaining work is anticipated to be complete summer 2023.A mill and overlay of 22 miles of I-55 from half a mile north of State Route 17 to the Carroll County line continues in Holmes County. The contractor has completed the partial clearing of trees along the interstate and repairing of failed areas on ramps throughout the project. Crews will soon begin milling and paving operations. The $39 million project was awarded to APAC-Mississippi. Work is estimated to be complete by spring 2024.A lottery funded overlay project is underway on State Route 548 from the beginning of state maintenance in Hermanville to the Copiah County line. Crews have repaired all failed areas and placed a leveling lift of asphalt on the mainline roadway. Crews are currently paving the surface lift. The $2.8 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen Inc. of Brookhaven. Remaining work is estimated to be complete by summer 2023.A bridge replacement project on State Route 18 between the Claiborne and Hinds County lines is underway in Copiah County. Box culverts are currently being constructed along with the detour. The $4.9 million contract was awarded to Joe McGee Construction Company of Lake. Work is anticipated to be completed by spring 2024.A bridge replacement project on SR 27 is underway over the Big Black River in Hinds County. Clearing operations are complete and borrow material is being hauled to construct the new alignment. All bents have been poured and crews are assembling the steel girders. The nearly $20 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison. Work is expected to wrap up spring 2024.A pavement rehabilitation of State Route 16 from U.S. 49 to 0.8 miles east of SR 433 has been completed. The $3.9 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.A mill and overlay project is being planned on State Route 1 from 0.43 miles south of State Route 438 to the end of the four-lane section near Dycus Road. The nearly $5 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc. Work is expected to begin in the coming months.A project that will overlay State Route 28 from State Route 33 to 2.4 miles east of Dennis Cross Road will soon begin. The $4.7 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.A mill and overlay project is being planned on U.S. 61 from State Route 446 to the end of the five-lane section north of Cleveland in Bolivar County. The $5.4 million contract was awarded to APAC-Mississippi, Inc.A project calling for improvements to intersections throughout District 3 is nearing completion. Work included updating and adding signs, stripe, raised pavement markers, flasher assemblies, and lights at various intersections throughout the district. The nearly $3 million project was awarded to Atwood Fence Company of Kosciusko.