The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is moving forward with two projects in Madison County intended to relieve congestion during peak hours and promote economic growth.
Safety is another driving force behind the work.
Commissioner Dick Hall said the focus of the projects is “increasing the safety of the traveling public and maintaining the current infrastructure network.”
Work is underway on a project aimed at relieving peak drive time congestion on Interstate 55 northbound in Madison County.
Madison-based company Key Constructors was awarded the $12.3 million construction contract.
“Anyone who travels I-55 north during the afternoon drive time knows about the bottleneck that develops just past County Line Road,” Hall said in an update on the MDOT website.
Hall said the project will address the bottleneck and reduce the drive times of those commuting during peak hours. Cutting down on traffic congestion will also improve safety for those traveling in that area.
According to Hall, the project will provide an additional lane on I-55 northbound from the Interstate 220 exit ramp to the Natchez Trace exit ramp.
There will also be interchange modifications made to accommodate the new lane. The I-55 northbound bridge will be widened, and I-55 northbound from County Line Road to the Natchez Trace will be milled and new asphalt will be laid.
Lane closures will be necessary as construction goes on, according to Hall. Most of the lane closures are expected to happen at night to prevent much impact on traffic.
Work was also completed to address drainage issues on West Frontage Road between Old Agency Road and Steed Road. Old Agency Road was also repaved from the west end through the roundabout at Renaissance shopping center to the end of state maintenance.
“We ask for the traveling public’s patience as this project progresses and urge motorists to exercise extreme caution by slowing down and avoiding distractions in construction zones,” Hall said.
The project is slated for completion by summer 2020.
Another MDOT project underway in Madison County is the connector at U.S. Highway 51 and Colony Park Boulevard from Sunnybrook Road to McClellan Drive in Ridgeland.
Phase two of the I-55 split diamond project will reduce congestion and improve safety throughout the area while also fostering economic growth and development in the area, according to Hall.
The segment between Sunnybrook Road and Cottonwood subdivision is open for travel.
According to Hall, the portion of the project across the railroad tracks will not be open to traffic until the railroad company installs new crossing arms at the railroad crossing.
The project should be complete by early spring.
“The nature of these projects shows MDOT’s continued shift to system preservation due to a lack of available transportation funding,” Hall said.
