MDOT highlights DeSoto County project as North Mississippi road work advances
BATESVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is moving forward with several major construction and maintenance projects across north Mississippi, with DeSoto County’s I-55/I-69 mill and overlay work leading the list of updates.
I-55/I-69 Overlay in DeSoto County
Crews are milling and overlaying about four miles of I-55/I-69 between I-269 and Church Road. The north- and southbound travel lanes, along with shoulders, are receiving a new asphalt surface. The $5.3 million project also includes new guardrails and updated signage.
The first layer of travel lane paving is nearly complete. Remaining work includes shoulder, ramp, and final asphalt paving. MDOT reports nighttime lane closures will continue until the project wraps up, which is expected this fall if weather conditions hold. The contract was awarded in April 2025 to Lehman-Roberts Company of Memphis.
Panola County — U.S. 278/State Route 6
In Panola County, MDOT is nearing completion of a $13.6 million project to mill and overlay about 14 miles of U.S. 278. Mainline paving is done, with shoulder gravel, rumble strip cutting, and permanent striping still in progress. Lehman-Roberts Company is also the contractor, with completion expected this fall.
Calhoun County — State Route 9
South of Calhoun City, work continues on replacing four bridges on State Route 9. Asphalt paving is complete at one site, though bridge deck issues are delaying traffic openings. At another site, about 90% of the stone base is in place, but additional deck problems may cause delays. The $24 million contract went to Manhattan Road & Bridge Company of Little Rock, with completion anticipated in spring 2026.
Yalobusha County — U.S. 51
Two projects are underway in Yalobusha County. A $20.1 million project to replace four bridges along U.S. 51 is progressing, with detours in place, deck pours completed at one site, and new piling and caps poured at another. Talbot Brothers Contracting Co. of Nesbit is handling the work, set for summer 2026 completion.
Separately, a $12.2 million replacement of the U.S. 51 bridge over the Yocona River continues. Contractors have completed deck pours on two spans and are preparing the approaches for limestone gravel. Box culvert construction is finished, with rock dike placement ongoing. Century Construction of Tupelo is expected to finish the project by spring 2026.
Oxford — Roundabouts on State Route 7
In Oxford, construction is ongoing to build roundabouts at the State Route 7 ramps and University Avenue. Traffic is using inside lanes while curb, gutter, and drainage work progresses. The $4.9 million project, awarded to Cook & Son LLC of Smithville, is scheduled to finish by spring 2026.
Carroll County — U.S. 51
Six bridge replacements are underway along U.S. 51 in Carroll County. Four concrete bridge decks are finished, and all piling has been driven, with caps now under construction. Roadway embankment is about 90% complete, and limestone base covers about half of the roadway. Ste-Bil Grading Inc. holds the $15.9 million contract, expected to be complete by fall 2026.
