2025 marks historic year for MDOT

JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is calling 2025 one of the most transformative years in decades, driven by sweeping tax reform and unprecedented investment in infrastructure upgrades across the state.

A landmark tax reform package passed by the Mississippi Legislature included an increase in the state gas tax — MDOT’s primary funding source — marking the first major update to Mississippi’s transportation funding model since 1987.

“Mississippi’s 2025 tax reform legislation signifies the first time we have really dealt with the funding model for our state infrastructure system since 1987,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “The recurring dollars resulting from this legislation provide MDOT with greater resources to preserve critical infrastructure, improve safety and ensure Mississippi’s transportation system continues to support economic growth and our citizens’ needs.”

The additional revenue is expected to add millions to MDOT’s annual budget, helping offset rising construction costs and strengthening the agency’s ability to maintain and expand the state’s transportation network.

Major Projects Advance Across Mississippi

Increased appropriations in recent years have accelerated major construction projects in every region of the state:

• Tippah County: Ground broke in August on the $195 million Ripley Bypass, a 10.5‑mile expansion of State Route 15 and a new State Route 2 connector in Blue Mountain. The project is expected to boost safety and economic development.
• Mississippi Delta: One of the state’s largest undertakings wrapped up this summer with the completion of the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass. The $216 million project added nearly 16 miles of new four‑lane highway from Leland to the Mississippi River Bridge, easing congestion and improving travel conditions in Washington County.
• Union County: A $58 million expansion of State Route 15 continues, completing the four‑lane corridor between Pontotoc and New Albany.
• Calhoun County: MDOT is replacing four aging bridges on State Route 9 south of Calhoun City, significantly improving safety.
• Jackson Metro: A $24.4 million preservation project on the I‑55 Pearl River bridges and the I‑20 flyover bridge is nearing completion, extending the life of both structures for decades.
• Pike County: Crews are progressing on a $76 million project to resurface five miles of I‑55, raise four bridges and upgrade the U.S. 98 interchange.
• Harrison County: A $49 million widening of U.S. 49 is advancing, with new southbound lanes nearly complete to relieve congestion north of I‑10.

Honoring Katrina Recovery, Expanding Future Work

To mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, MDOT produced a documentary highlighting the massive infrastructure restoration efforts that followed the storm and the people who led them.

Additionally, MDOT scheduled 50 paving projects in 2025 funded fully or in part by Mississippi Lottery proceeds.

With new revenue streams and dozens of projects underway, MDOT officials say Mississippians can expect even more improvements to the state’s transportation system in 2026.