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NATCHEZ – The overlay work on U.S. 61 from Washington to the Jefferson County line should wrap up this summer.

That’s according to an update released this week by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

“Construction season is already in full swing in southwest Mississippi, and crews are making significant progress throughout the region, particularly on some of the larger resurfacing and bridge replacement projects,” said Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District. “Infrastructure upgrades like these make our communities safer and better connected while positioning our state for future growth and prosperity.”

The $2.3 million project to overlay the six miles of roadway in Adams County is being conducted by APAC. The contractor is currently working on mainline paving.

Bridge replacement on U.S. 98 continues in Franklin County

An aging truss bridge on U.S. 98 over the Homochitto River is being replaced with a modern post-tension concrete bridge in Franklin County. U.S. 98 is closed between State Route 556 and Berrytown Road while construction is ongoing.

Work in the area is currently on hold while crews implement necessary fixes following a setback that occurred during girder installation. Once corrective measures are implemented, the installation of pre-stressed concrete girders will resume.

This $25.7 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Other Southwest Mississippi MDOT projects included in the update are:

Major resurfacing project on I-55 underway in Pike County

Crews continue to make progress on a large infrastructure project in Pike County to resurface five miles of I-55 from State Route 24 to U.S. 98, construct two roundabouts on U.S. 98 at the I-55 interchange and raise four bridges over I-55, including Delaware Ave., Park Ave., Enterprise Rd. and Robb St. The project is expected to increase interstate traffic safety and optimize traffic flow at the U.S. 98 interchange.

Three of the four overpasses have been completed with the Robb St. overpass most recently closed to traffic for bridge raising operations. Rubblization has begun on the inside lanes from U.S. 98/Presley Blvd. (Exit 15) to just south of Delaware Ave. (Exit 17). Rubblization is a process by which existing concrete is reduced to rubble and forms the new base of the roadway before it is overlaid with asphalt. On the eastern roundabout at the U.S. 98 (Exit 20A) interchange, curb and layout is complete, and on the western roundabout, crews are working on curb and connections to existing roadways and ramps.

The nearly $76 million project was awarded to Barriere Construction of Laplace, Louisiana, and should wrap up in 2027.

Bridge replacement on U.S. 98 makes progress in Marion County

Both eastbound and westbound bridges over the Pearl River are being replaced as part of a project on U.S. 98 in Marion County. The project also includes bank stabilization efforts to help mitigate erosion and address scour issues. The eastbound bridge is being replaced first, and traffic has been shifted to the westbound bridge in a head-to-head configuration while construction is underway. Crews are installing girders, cross frames and lateral bracing on the new eastbound bridge, and roadway approach grades are now complete with paving underway.

The $57.7 million project was awarded to T.L. Wallace of Columbia and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Bridge replacement on State Route 149 moves forward in Simpson County

Work is ongoing to replace the last bridge in a project to replace a total of four bridges on State Route 149 between State Route 13 and U.S. 49 in Simpson County. The Strong River bridge is closed to traffic and crews are driving piling for the new bridge foundation.

This $25 million contract was awarded to T.L. Wallace. Phase I of the project is expected to wrap up in 2025, and Phase 2 is estimated to be complete by 2026.

Overlay begins on I-55 in Pike and Lincoln counties

An overlay project has begun on I-55 from just south of the Bogue Chitto interchange (Exit 30) to the U.S. 98 interchange at Summit (Exit 20A) in Pike and Lincoln counties. The scope of work includes clearing trees and removing and replacing a layer of open-graded friction course (OGFC) asphalt to the interstate. Crews have begun clearing on the southern portion of the project and continue to work north.

The $7.3 million project was awarded to Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. of Brookhaven and is expected to be complete this fall.

Two mill and overlay projects underway on U.S. 49 in Covington County

A mill and overlay project is making progress on approximately five miles of U.S. 49 from Richard Kendrick Dr. to Seminary in Covington County. The $3.6 million project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel.

Another mill and overlay project is underway from the Forrest County line to Richard Kendrick Dr. on approximately five miles of U.S. 49 in Covington County. The $3.1 million project was awarded to APAC of Jackson.

For both projects, paving is complete and permanent stripe and rumble strip installation remains. The two projects are expected to wrap up this summer.

Intersection improvement project ongoing at State Route 28 and 37 in Smith County

A project is ongoing in Smith County to implement a traditional intersection with a traffic signal at the intersection of State Route 28 and State Route 37 in Taylorsville. The contractor is setting drainage structures and pouring curb and gutter.

The $5.5 million project was awarded to Chris Albritton Construction of Laurel and should be complete in 2025.

Overlay and roundabout project nears completion on State Route 27 in Lawrence County

In Lawrence County, a project is nearing completion to construct a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 27 and Thomas Jolly Dr. and overlay eight miles of SR 27 from Dewey Ballard Rd. to just north of U.S. 84. Traffic is now flowing on the roundabout and the final curb and island pavement is being set. The overlay portion of the project is complete with the exception of permanent stripe and rumble strips.

The $5.3 million project was awarded to Walters Construction of Laurel and is expected to be complete this summer.

Bridge replacement project ongoing on State Route 184 in Jefferson Davis County

Work continues on a $4.5 million bridge replacement project on State Route 184 over White Sand Creek in Jefferson Davis County. Bridge work is nearly complete, and crews are paving the approaches to the bridge and pouring the bridge rails.

The project was awarded to N.L. Carson Construction of Carthage and is expected to wrap up in 2025.

Overlay on State Route 43 in Marion County

A project has begun in Marion County to overlay 12 miles of State Route 43 from the Pearl River County line to State Route 13. The contractor is paving mainline and driveways.

The $4.1 million project was awarded to Southern Paving of Foxworth and is anticipated to be complete this summer.

Seal and overlay project begins on State Route 28 in Simpson County

Crews are currently clearing trees in advance of a project to seal and overlay approximately eight miles of State Route 28 from the Strong River to State Route 13 in Simpson County.

The $3.2 million project was awarded to APAC and is expected to be complete this fall.

Intersection improvement project underway on U.S. 49 and State Route 35 in Covington County

A $2.1 million project has begun to make intersection improvements at U.S. 49 and State Route 35 in Covington County. The project scope includes reconstruction of the frontage road as well as traffic signal improvements. The contractor has begun placing silt fence and milling operations.

The project was awarded to Walters Construction and is expected to be complete in spring 2026.

Overlay complete on State Route 531 in Smith County

A $2.2 million project is now complete to overlay State Route 531 in Smith County from State Route 28 to County Road 99.

The project was awarded to APAC.

Overlay complete on U.S. 51 in Pike County

An overlay project on U.S. 51 from Summit to the Lincoln County line in Pike County is now complete. The $1.9 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen.