The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues making improvements to highways in southwest Mississippi.

“Each of these projects are all geared towards one main goal, improving driver safety. Safety remains MDOT’s top priority,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District.

Ongoing lottery-funded projects throughout the district include a $1.9 million project to overlay nine miles of State Route 42 in Jefferson Davis County.  The overlay stretches from State Route 184 east to State Route 35, between Prentiss and Bassfield. This project was awarded to W. E. Blain & Sons, Inc., of Mount Olive, and is slated to be completed in the next few weeks.

Other projects include:

• A $3.4 million project to overlay State Route 35 south to U.S. Highway 98, and State Route 13 south from State Route 43 to Highway 98, is underway in Marion County. This project was awarded to Warren Paving, Inc., of Hattiesburg, and is slated to wrap up early winter 2021.
• A $1.1 million project to overlay State Route 532 from Oak Grove Road west to Vester Pickering Road in Covington County is set to begin soon. Currently, signs have been placed for this project. This contract was awarded to W. E. Blain & Sons, Inc., and is slated to wrap up winter 2021.
• An $8.9 million bridge replacement project on State Route 198 in Marion County is moving forward. This project was awarded to T.L. Wallace Construction and is expected to be complete in winter 2022.
• A project to preserve the SR 35 bridge over the Pearl River is underway in Marion County. This $2.3 million project was awarded to T.L. Wallace Construction. Work is anticipated to wrap up winter 2021.
• A project to overlay the Monticello Bypass, U.S. Highway 84 from Old Highway 27 east to SR 184, is underway in Lawrence County.This $2.6 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc., of Brookhaven, and is anticipated to be complete early 2022.
• A project to improve driver safety along State Route 13 and overlay the roadway is underway in Simpson County. This $4.8 million project stretches from State Route 28 to the Jefferson Davis County line. Currently, work is underway on the first phase of the project which includes is the clearing of trees and brush from the right of way. Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling in this area and observe all traffic control on this project. Paving will likely begin in spring of 2022 after the clearing work has been completed. This project was awarded to W. E. Blain & Sons and is expected to be complete summer 2022.
• A $4.5 million project to overlay U.S. Highway 51 in Lincoln County is nearing completion. The project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen.
• A $1.6 million project to overlay five miles of State Route 583 from Enterprise High School to Highway 84 in Lincoln County. This project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen and work is slated to wrap up early 2022.

Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and highway workers on the side of the road. Highway work zones can be found throughout the state and often present unfamiliar traffic conditions. Examples of common work zones found on Mississippi highways and a complete list of tips can be found at GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

For more information on MDOT maintenance and construction projects, visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the free MDOT Traffic app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.