MDOT updates area highway projects

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced several construction and maintenance projects in northwest Mississippi, including DeSoto County. 

“Our progress continues at a pace enabled by funding limits, and we are advocating for more,” said Commissioner John Caldwell, Northern Transportation District. “Contracted repairs and construction and in-house maintenance will increase with better weather. Please drive safely on our highways. Slow down and be especially watchful in work zones.”

State Route 302 J-Turns in DeSoto County

Work is moving forward on the installation of J-turns at State Route 302 and Braybourne Main in Olive Branch.

The project includes dirt work, drainage structures, new traffic signals and asphalt overlay. Phase 1 of dirt work is underway and geotextile fabric and stone has been placed for the new turn lane. Memphis Boring has completed jacking and boring of the 48” pipe under SR 302 eastbound. Work has started on the median inlet to connect the new pipe to the existing pipe under SR 302 westbound. Conduit work has started, but supply chain issues are delaying the installation of traffic signals. Century Construction Group, Inc. was awarded the $4.6 million contract.

The project is scheduled to be completed in fall 2023.

Lottery funded paving projects

A $3.9 million paving project is underway in Grenada County. The lottery funded project includes the mill and overlay of 5 miles of State Route 8 from State Route 7 in Holcomb to the beginning of the five-lane section in Grenada. The project was awarded to Lehman-Roberts Company of Memphis and will be completed by summer 2023.

Work is progressing on a $5.6 million paving project in Lafayette County. Eleven miles of State Route 334 from University Avenue to 1.04 miles east of County Road 418 are being resurfaced. This project was awarded to Lehman-Roberts Company and will be completed summer 2023.

State Route 35 bridge replacement in Carroll County

A project to replace a bridge on State Route 35 over the Big Sand Creek continues in Carroll County.

The bridge is being built on a new alignment. The contractor has set beams for spans 1 and 2. The placement of SIP forms has also begun for the interior span. The $6.5 million project was awarded to Century Construction Group of Tupelo. Work is expected to be completed spring 2024.

State Route 3 bridge replacement in Tate and Tunica Counties

Work continues on the replacement of two bridges on the Tate and Tunica County line. The project includes the replacement of two bridges at the intersection of State Route 3, and State Route 4.

The bents on 3 and 4, haunch girders and end beams have been placed. A crane is now being broken down to move it to the other side to place bents 1 and 2.

The $25.5 million project was awarded to Talbot Brothers Construction of Nesbit. Work is expected to be completed spring 2024.

 U.S. 278/State Route 6 bridge replacement in Quitman County

W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company is making progress on a bridge replacement, box culvert replacement and realignment of State Route 6. The bridge is being built over Coldwater River and Cassidy Bayou.

The contractor is currently pouring the final substructure concrete on both bridge A and bridge B. The remaining structural steel for spans 1 and 2 are scheduled to be installed over the next month. When they are in place, decking operations will begin. The contractor hopes to open bridge B to traffic by early to mid-summer 2023.

This $29.7 million project is set to be completed summer 2024.

State Route 8 bridge replacement in Calhoun County

Work continues on a bridge replacement on State Route 8 in Calhoun County. The bridges are being built over the Little Horse Pen Creek.

Two box culverts and a detour bridge are being built for the detour road. A test pile has been placed for bridge B.

The $24.1 million contract was awarded to Manhattan Road and Bridge Company of Little Rock Ark. The project is scheduled to be completed fall 2024.

State Route 7 bridge replacement in Grenada County

Work is moving forward with a bridge replacement on State Route 7 in Grenada County. A bridge on a new alignment is being built over Riverdale Creek just north of Grenada.

The contractor has finished pouring the bridge deck and will begin constructing the bridge end pavements soon. The $11.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison.

The project is scheduled to be completed summer 2023.