MCCOMB, MISS.–The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced the following update on highway projects in Southwest Mississippi.
“A number of important safety and infrastructure improvement projects are underway in District 7,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “These projects will improve safety, efficiency and mobility throughout this region. MDOT urges the public to be mindful of highway construction and maintenance personnel who are actively working on these important roadway projects.”
Mississippi River Bridge in Natchez
The repainting of the westbound U.S. Highway 84 bridge over the Mississippi River in Natchez continues. Currently, 65 percent of painting is complete through intermediate coat while 60 percent of painting is complete through the final coat. All sandblasting and priming of the bridge is complete. Crews are applying intermediate and finish coatings, replacing rivets and securing room for the structural contractor to begin work on the pin and link replacement portion of the project. The structural contractor should replace the first pin and link this month.
“The project is currently on schedule,” King said. “This bridge is a major route for commerce and tourism travel. Once finished, this project will allow motorists from Natchez and throughout Adams County, and across Southwest Mississippi to traverse the Mississippi River quicker and safer for decades to come.”
Work to install a temporary apparatus for load transfers is ongoing, and fabricators are producing the massive new pins and links for the bridge. MDOT anticipates the westbound bridge to open to traffic in summer 2018. All work is expected to be complete by spring 2019.
“Motorists are reminded to be on high alert for roadside crews and pay close attention to all posted signage along this stretch of U.S. Highway 84 in Natchez,” King said. “We greatly appreciate the patience of the traveling public throughout the duration of this project and look forward to completing the project as soon as possible.”
U.S. Highway 49 improvements progress in Covington County
Crews are working on upgrades to U.S. Highway 49 in Covington County. At both the North and South ends of the project, crews are extending road shoulders, and earth work is underway in medians between Mount Olive and Collins. The final three retaining walls in the north section of the project are being constructed.
The contractor has moved onsite and begun box work south of Seminary. The Kola Road intersection had its final inspection and is open to traffic.
Motorists should expect periodic lane closures as crews continue constructing retaining walls and extending shoulders. The project is on track to be complete in spring 2019. Motorists should remain alert for roadside workers, concrete barriers and periodic lane closures for the duration of the project.
I-55 rehabilitation continues in Pike County
The contractor is currently working on the third phase of a 3-mile section between Magnolia and U.S. Highway 24. All signals along State Route 570 are in operation, and the work is complete. A final inspection of the work on State Route 570 and U.S. Highway 51 was completed in December. All finishing work on the rehabilitation section has been completed, and the contractor is cleaning and sealing joints. Pier wall protection is in progress.
Homochitto River bridge bank stabilization
In Franklin County, bank stabilization of State Route 33 at the Homochitto River Bridge is underway. The riprap berm has been installed downstream of the bridge. Tiebacks are complete and will be grassed in the coming weeks. Construction of the west “haul road” is underway, and the project is expected to be complete in summer 2018.
“As crews continue work on these projects and look ahead to future improvements, we remind motorists to always be aware of roadside workers when traveling through work zones,” King said. “Remember to drive slow in active work zones and to never, ever drive distracted.”
Work zones may present unfamiliar traffic patterns. For more information on how to safely navigate a highway work zone, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.
Stay updated on these projects and others across Southwest Mississippi by visiting www.MDOTtraffic.com, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app, dial 511 in Mississippi and follow @MississippiDOT on Twitter and Facebook.
