MCCOMB — The Mississippi Department of Transportation is reporting progress on dozens of road and bridge projects across southwest Mississippi, including major work on Interstate 55 and several bridges and highways.
Charles Busby, MDOT’s Southern District transportation commissioner, said the projects are intended to improve infrastructure and support future growth in the region.
“Southwest Mississippi is moving forward, and by devoting resources to infrastructure, we lay the groundwork for future growth,” Busby said.
Among the larger projects:
- Pike County: A $76 million project to resurface five miles of I-55, construct two roundabouts at the U.S. 98 interchange and raise four bridges is progressing. Bridge and roundabout work is complete, and long-term lane closures have reopened. The project is expected to finish in 2027.
- Marion County: A $57.7 million project is replacing the eastbound and westbound U.S. 98 bridges over the Pearl River. The eastbound bridge is complete, while work continues on the westbound bridge. Completion is expected in 2027.
- Simpson County: The new State Route 149 bridge over the Strong River is open to traffic, with minor work remaining. The $25 million project is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
- Franklin County: A $25.7 million project is replacing the U.S. 98 bridge over the Homochitto River. The highway is closed between State Route 556 and Berrytown Road while construction continues. Completion is expected in late 2026.
- Lincoln County: A $5.5 million project will build two roundabouts at the Brookway Boulevard interchange on I-55. Earthwork, drainage and curb-and-gutter work are underway, with paving expected to begin soon.
- Covington County: A $4.5 million safety project is modifying the intersections of U.S. 84 with State Route 184 and State Route 588. The project includes restricted crossing U-turn intersections designed to improve safety.
MDOT also reported numerous resurfacing and overlay projects either underway or nearing completion in Lincoln, Smith, Lawrence, Walthall, Jefferson Davis, Marion, Franklin, Pike, Adams and Wilkinson counties.
Several projects have already been completed, including an overlay of State Route 28 between Mize and Taylorsville in Smith County, an overlay of U.S. 51 from Osyka to Magnolia in Pike County, bridge repairs on U.S. 98 in Walthall County and repairs to U.S. 61 bridges over St. Catherine Creek in Adams County.
MDOT reminded motorists to use caution in construction zones, where traffic patterns may change and workers are present.
Information about active projects, expected completion dates, road closures and detours is available through MDOT’s project website and MDOT Traffic mobile app.
