MDOT finishes strong in 2022
JACKSON – “The Extra Mile” isn't just the name of MDOT's award-winning podcast. Those three words exemplify the agency's work in 2022. Thanks to additional funding from the Mississippi Legislature and more federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, MDOT projects increased to a new high.
In fiscal year 2022, the agency approved just over $964 million in projects, the most that has ever been approved by MDOT. With more funding, comes a responsibility to bring projects to fruition. MDOT has made significant progress thus far.
“2022 has truly been a banner year for MDOT in terms of what we have been able to achieve with additional resources and increased efficiency,” said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. “I'd like to thank the men and women of MDOT for their hard work to move projects forward and keep our transportation system safe for the traveling public. We remain grateful to Congress, the Mississippi Legislature and Gov. Tate Reeves for increased funding that allows MDOT to accomplish more.”
Several major projects across the state were completed or made significant progress in 2022.
Perhaps the biggest project news of 2022 was the much-anticipated completion of the U.S. 49 expansion in Rankin County. This massive $253 million project called for the reconstruction of 7.5 miles of U.S. 49, and greatly increased capacity on one of Mississippi's most heavily traveled sections of highway.
In the Delta region, work began on a $137 million project known as the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass. Approximately nine miles of four-lane highway is being constructed to increase capacity for traffic and open up potential for economic development.
In North Mississippi, four bridges on I-55 are being replaced in Tate County. This $52.5 million project is nearly complete. Two bridges in Tate and Tunica counties are being replaced on State Route 3. This $25.5 million project is expected to wrap up in 2024.
In Itawamba County, the last section of the highway project known as “Corridor V” is progressing. This $81 million project involves the construction of a four-lane highway designated as State Route 76.
On the Gulf Coast, work wrapped up on two major drawbridge rehabilitation projects in Jackson County and Harri
son County. Both underwent major repairs.
A massive project totaling more than $200 million will soon be underway in Jackson County to expand the capacity of State Route 57.
In Southwestern Mississippi, an $8.9 million project to replace two bridges on State Route 198 in Marion County is now complete. In Simpson County, a $17 million project recently began to make intersection improvements and overlay 10 miles of U.S. 49.
In addition to federal funding and state appropriations, the agency receives $80 million each fiscal year from the Mississippi Lottery, which are used to pave rural highways across the state.
With more projects on the horizon than ever before, Mississippians can expect to see more construction and ultimately better and safer traveling in 2023.
For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.