The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reporting significant progress on a slate of major highway projects across southern Mississippi, with more than $700 million in active work advancing on interstate widening, bridge replacements, safety improvements and corridor upgrades.
According to MDOT Commissioner Charles Busby, crews continue making substantial progress on several of the region's largest transportation investments, including the widening of Interstate 10 between Diamondhead and Gulfport and the reconstruction of State Route 57 in Jackson County.
SR 57 Widening Ahead of Schedule
Among the largest projects under way is the $212.6 million widening and realignment of approximately 9 mi. of State Route 57 from Interstate 10 to Vancleave in Jackson County.
According to MDOT, the project is currently ahead of schedule. Traffic has shifted onto newly constructed southbound lanes between I-10 and north of Humphrey Road while crews build the future northbound lanes. All 13 bridges included in the contract have been completed.
Construction crews continue major earthmoving operations north of Jim Ramsey Road where the new highway alignment is taking shape. Stone base installation and paving operations also continue throughout the corridor.
W.G. Yates and Sons Construction Company of Jackson is the prime contractor. Completion is expected in 2027.
I-10 Expansion Nears Major Milestones
MDOT photo
Another high-profile project continues on Interstate 10 in Harrison and Hancock counties, where a $155 million contract is widening the interstate from four to six lanes between Diamondhead and County Farm Road.
Bridge widening has been completed on all three bridges within the project limits, while installation of the project's noise barrier wall also has been finished.
Crews are placing the final pavement lifts during nighttime operations. Median work and cable barrier installation are complete, while paving continues along a new multiuse path in Diamondhead. Three of four pedestrian bridges have been installed and Intelligent Transportation Systems work, including traffic cameras and dynamic message signs, remains under way.
Huey P. Stockstill LLC of Picayune is performing the work. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
I-59 Safety Improvements Continue
On Interstate 59, a $66.7 million safety improvement project continues in Forrest and Jones counties between the Lamar County line and Moselle.
Nearly all paving operations have been completed. Contractors soon will apply high-friction surface treatments to ramps at the U.S. 49 interchange, requiring short-duration ramp closures.
Bridge rehabilitation also remains part of the contract, with repairs planned on eight bridges. Work includes replacing bridge joints and bearing pads to extend the service life of the structures while minimizing traffic impacts.
Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel is expected to complete the project this fall.
SR 67 Superstreet Construction Advances
In Harrison County, contractors continue work on a $68 million safety improvement project along State Route 67 between U.S. 49 and Interstate 10.
The project will convert the corridor into a Superstreet featuring more than 40 Restricted Crossing U-Turn intersections designed to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes.
Current work includes extending a box culvert near Shriners Boulevard while crews continue curb and gutter installation, stone base placement and paving for new turn lanes and bulb-outs.
Huey P. Stockstill LLC is constructing the project, which is expected to finish in spring 2028.
U.S. 49 Widening Progresses
MDOT photo
Another major Harrison County project is widening U.S. 49 from four to six lanes between O'Neal Road and north of School Road.
According to MDOT, earthwork and stone base placement continue on the northbound side while widening on the southbound side is nearly complete. Crews soon will begin paving the northbound lanes.
The project also includes construction of a continuous flow intersection at State Route 53.
Necaise Brothers of Gulfport was awarded the $44.9 million contract, with completion expected in 2027.
Welcome Center to Address Truck Parking Needs
Construction also is scheduled to begin this summer on a new Jackson County Welcome Center along Interstate 10.
The $35.2 million facility will replace the existing welcome center and significantly expand truck parking capacity by adding 62 truck parking spaces and five bus spaces. The project also includes upgraded drainage systems, water infrastructure and accessibility improvements.
T.L. Wallace of Columbia is the contractor. Completion is anticipated in summer 2028.
Other Projects Near Completion
Several other transportation projects are approaching completion across southern Mississippi, including: the $17 million reconstruction of the Diamondhead I-10 interchange featuring widened ramps, three roundabouts and a multiuse path; the $21.9 million replacement of the U.S. 11 bridge over Hobolochitto Creek in Pearl River County, where traffic has already shifted onto the new bridge; a $14.5 million pedestrian safety project along U.S. 49 in Harrison County; completion of the $16.9 million State Route 63 bridge preservation project over the Escatawpa River in Jackson County; and a $12 million project installing contraflow ramp gates and emergency signage along Interstate 59 and U.S. 84.
MDOT also reported continued progress on numerous resurfacing, cable barrier, traffic signal and Intelligent Transportation Systems projects throughout the Southern Transportation District, with several scheduled for completion during summer and fall 2026.
