Wondering what Northeast Mississippi road work detours may be in your future?

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues Northeast Mississippi road work aimed at preservation and maintenance of highways and bridges.

State Route 76 construction in Itawamba County

An $81 million project is under construction to build a nearly nine-mile extension of State Route 76 in Itawamba County.

Also known as Corridor V, the new highway will connect State Route 23 and State Route 25.

On the east end of the project, initial layers of asphalt have been laid for about two miles. Construction of four bridges at Chubby Creek is progressing. Decks are being built at each crossing.

On the west end of the project, crews are clearing land, performing earthwork and installing drainage structures.

Most of the work is being performed away from existing roadways, but motorists should be alert for workers and equipment in the area.

The contract was awarded in March to Eutaw Construction Company, Inc., of Aberdeen. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

State Route 172 bridge replacement in Tishomingo County

Two timber pile bridges over Little Yellow Creek and Ellington Branch will be replaced on State Route 172.

The bridges are located between Walker Road and County Road 227, near Tishomingo County High School. A signed detour will be in place using U.S. Highway 72 during the project which is expected to be completed winter 2021.

The project will replace both bridges which were originally built in 1940. The work also includes bank and slope stabilization at the bridge sites.

The $6 million contract was awarded to Century Construction Group, Inc., of Tupelo.

Safety improvements in Pontotoc County

On State Route 6, two new J-turn intersections have been built and are open to traffic. One was built at Rocky Ford Road and a second at State Route 345.

J-turns, or restricted crossing U-turns, are safer alternatives to typical intersections along busy multi-lane highways. J-turns can dramatically reduce crashes related to crossing and turning left at multi-lane highway intersections.

The $5.2 million project was awarded to Talbot Brothers Construction Company, of Nesbit.

Bridge preservation in Alcorn County

A $2.4 million bridge preservation project on U.S. Highway 45 over Kansas City Southern Railroad is underway in Alcorn County.

Crews have replaced the southbound bridge deck using hydrodemolition.

Work remains to maintain the northbound bridge, seal joints, repair bearing and beam and recoat structural steel.

The project was awarded to Southern Road & Bridge, LLC, of Tarpon Springs, FL, and is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

U.S. Highway 82 interchange improvements in Lowndes County

A $4.8 million project to improve two U.S. Highway 82 interchanges at 18th Avenue and Military Road is nearly complete in Columbus.

Permanent striping remains to be completed on the project.

At the Military Road interchange, traffic is using the new roundabouts. To accommodate the roundabouts, the interchange ramps were realigned. The westbound exit ramp was also widened to include a new travel lane.

At the 18th Avenue interchange, ramps were realigned and widened. A new signal was installed, and paving has been completed.

The interchange project was awarded to Gregory Construction Services, Inc., of Columbus.

Bridge maintenance on State Route 389 in Chickasaw County

Elsewhere in the district, a bridge replacement project is nearing completion in Chickasaw County. The $4.2 million project replaced bridges over Chewawah Creek and Cane Creek on State Route 389.

Both bridges are open to traffic. Remaining work includes applying the final lift of paving, permanent striping and installing rumble strips.

The contractor is Ausbern Construction Company, Inc., of Okolona.

Construction zones occasioned by Northeast Mississippi road work  present new traffic patterns and configurations that can cause confusion for some motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

“Workers may be present on these maintenance and construction projects,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT Executive Director. “MDOT encourages drivers to slow down in work zones so our crew members can make it home safe to their families.”

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for providing a safe intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. MDOT’s objective is to maximize taxpayer’s dollars by providing a safe, efficient multimodal network that enhances economic stability and growth. For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.