MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — The Mississippi Department of Transportation reports steady progress on multiple road and bridge projects touching Meridian and the surrounding counties, according to updates released Monday by Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons.
Bridge Replacements on U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale Counties
Crews continue replacing aging bridges as part of a project spanning U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale counties. Four bridge sites in Newton County have been cleared, with the box culvert work finished. Crews removed Bridge 111.7 and Bridge 110.8 and drove all piling at both sites. Bridge 121.4 is expected to open this month.
A second phase covers four more bridges on U.S. 80 in Newton and Lauderdale counties. All sites are cleared, piling is complete at Bridge 122.5, and crews are removing Bridge 123.3. U.S. 80 remains closed about one mile east of Adams Street in Chunky, with traffic detoured around the closure using I 20.
Cotton Creek Transport Inc. of Laurel holds the nearly 88 million dollar contract. Crews expect to finish all work by fall 2028.
State Route 19 Expansion in Neshoba County
The widening of State Route 19 from two lanes to four lanes between House and Tucker continues in Neshoba County. The project adds two new northbound lanes and rebuilds the existing roadway to serve as the southbound lanes.
Crews are hauling material, pouring bridge rails and approach slabs, and mixing soil cement for the roadbed. Five of nine planned bridges are finished, and every box culvert is installed.
W.G. Yates and Son Construction Company of Philadelphia holds the 97.4 million dollar contract. The project remains on schedule for completion by summer 2028.
Roundabout Construction at State Route 15 and 16 in Philadelphia
Work on the new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 15 and State Route 16 in Philadelphia continues to move forward. Crews already finished replacing the Weyerhaeuser Street and Lakeside Drive bridges during Phase I.
Phase I and Phase II work, including the roundabout itself, is complete. Crews are now placing the first layer of asphalt and building curb and gutter as part of Phase III. MDOT will announce when traffic officially switches onto the new roundabout.
Cook and Son LLC of Smithville holds the nearly nine million dollar contract, with completion expected in spring 2027.
ITS Installation on I 59/20 in Meridian
An Intelligent Transportation System installation continues along I 59/20 and I 20 near Meridian in Lauderdale County. The system covers I 59/20 south of I 20, a stretch of I 20 west of I 59, and sections northeast of U.S. 45 and the weigh station.
Crews finished installing digital message boards and cabinets and are now hanging traffic cameras and setting up radio equipment.
R and W Electric Company of Collinsville holds the 3.7 million dollar contract, and remaining work should finish this fall.
State Route 854 Mill and Overlay in Lauderdale County
A resurfacing project covering 3.4 miles of State Route 854 between State Route 39 and the Naval Air Station continues in Lauderdale County. The work includes repairing failed pavement, upgrading guardrails, clearing drainage channels and updating signs.
Mainline paving is finished, and crews still need to repair paved ditches and add permanent striping.
APAC MS holds the 3.1 million dollar contract, with completion expected this fall.
State Route 25 Mill and Overlay in Leake County
A ten mile resurfacing project on State Route 25 between Renfroe and the Attala County line continues in Leake County. Crews are repairing failed pavement, upgrading guardrails and traffic signals, resealing bridge joints and clearing trees.
Failed area repairs and mainline paving are both complete, and the project remains on track to wrap up this fall.
Superior Asphalt Inc. of Byram holds the 10.4 million dollar contract.
State Route 487 Mill and Overlay in Leake County
A three mile resurfacing project on State Route 487 between the Tuscolameta Big Canal and State Route 35 is nearly finished in Leake County. Clearing, mulching, failed area repairs and paving are all complete. Crews plan to add pavement markings next week ahead of final completion.
APAC MS holds the 2.2 million dollar contract.
I 20 Mill and Overlay in Newton County
A seven mile resurfacing project on I 20 between a point east of State Route 15 and the Chunky River is now complete in Newton County. APAC MS held the 12.4 million dollar contract.
Drivers Urged to Stay Alert in Work Zones
Commissioner Simmons urged drivers to slow down and avoid distractions while passing through active work zones. MDOT encourages residents to track project updates, lane closures and detours at GoMDOT.com/Projects or through the free MDOT Traffic mobile app.
