JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Officials announced the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will soon begin a critical hydro-demolition project on the north and southbound I-55 bridges over the Pearl River in Jackson.

“Over time, the high volume of traffic has caused these bridge decks to deteriorate. That is why once the Mississippi State Fair wraps up, we’re going to remove and replace the bridge decks on I-55 over the Pearl River in Jackson to extend the life of these bridges,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “We want to inform local drivers that utilize this stretch of interstate regularly about these lane closures so they may begin planning alternate routes to avoid potential congestion.”

According to MDOT, the work will require two lanes to be shut down at a time, leaving two travel lanes open in each direction. Crews will begin by closing the inside lanes first before swapping to the outside lanes.

Although both directions of I-55 will remain passable, these lane closures will have a major impact on traffic. To limit congestion, especially during peak travel, MDOT advised drivers to utilize these alternate routes when possible:

• I-220 for I-55 through traffic
• SR 468 to SR 25
• SR 475 to SR 25

Construction activities are expected to begin the evening of Tuesday, October 15, with traffic reduced to two lanes in each direction soon after. MDOT will inform the public of the closure dates once determined.

Crews estimate the closures will be in place for the remainder of 2024, which will include hydro-demolition and new deck installation on the inside lanes in each direction before swapping to the outer lanes. Once work begins, message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the lane closures.

The $24.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC of Madison.

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