The Mississippi Transportation Commission on Oct. 15, 2025, voted to approve a consent-style agenda authorizing the executive director to execute multiple supplemental agreements, work assignments and contracts for roadway, bridge and planning projects across the state, concur with local public agency (LPA) recommendations, and accept several settlements and insurance proceeds. The commission later recessed into an executive session to discuss workers' compensation settlements and an encroachment case.

The consent items included a supplemental agreement with Volkert, Inc., for additional phase A field survey services on the I‑20/I‑55 freight corridor not to exceed $168,879.05; a work assignment with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for final right-of-way plans for four bridge replacements on Mississippi Highway 32 not to exceed $293,842.36; bridge inspection services from WSP USA, Inc., for US‑84 bridges over the Mississippi River not to exceed $341,782.82; hydraulic design work for four bridge replacements on MS‑35 from Volkert not to exceed $339,238.27; in‑depth inspections from Michael Baker International, Inc., for structures along I‑20 not to exceed $128,351.64; and a supplemental with Neel‑Shaffer, Inc., to revise Phase B bridge final construction plans for a proposed pedestrian bridge over Lakeland Drive (Hinds County) not to exceed $75,973.05, among many others.

Staff also presented LPA actions, including concurrence with construction bid awards and a recommended LPA supplemental agreement with Burns Dirt Construction LLC in Starkville (Oktibbeha County) for Highway 182 improvements, pedestrian facilities and utility relocations; that agreement adds $511,374.42 to a revised project cost of $37,006,876.19. The commission authorized routine administrative items such as disposal of vehicles in accordance with Federal Transit Administration property procedures, approval of payroll and accounts payable dockets, and continuation or sole‑source purchases where noted (for example, replacement parts from Tinius Olsen totaling $18,005 as a sole‑source purchase approved by the Department of Finance and Administration).

On aviation and transit items, the commission approved FY26 airport federal matching grant awards (attachments A and B) that provide up to 50% of the required local share for FAA Airport Improvement Program projects and related projects funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; staff clarified that the FAA share varies by airport and MDOT provides up to half of the local match portion. The commission also authorized training for transit drivers (defensive driving and wheelchair lift securement) at a cost not to exceed $4,000 and received notice that the Strategic Multimodal Investment Fund cycle is open through Nov. 14, 2025.

Legal and risk items brought by the attorney general’s office included authorization to pursue a claim against Enlightened Truckers of America LLC (Columbus, Ohio) for damage to the cable barrier system on I‑22 westbound in Lee County, acceptance of an insurance settlement of $39,538.94 from State Farm on behalf of an individual claimant, and authorization to enter into a programmatic agreement with the Federal Highway Administration under the Every Day Counts initiative to delegate MDOT authority to approve certain categorically excluded environmental actions on FHWA’s behalf.

Before adjourning to a closed session, the commission approved routine contracts for auditing services with the Office of the State Auditor and BMSS Advisors & CPAs (not to exceed $150,000 for FY2025) and approved modifications to standard operating procedures and rental/service agreements as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from the previous meeting: motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye." (motion carried)
- Approval of the meeting agenda: motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye." (motion carried)
- Authorization of agenda items 1–49 (consent/administrative approvals as read into the record): approved by general consent as part of the agenda (no several individual roll‑call votes recorded in the transcript)
- Motion to enter executive session to discuss three workers' compensation settlement cases and one encroachment update: moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye." (motion carried)

The commission's consent list encompassed the following principal authorizations and approvals (as read into the record):
- Execute supplemental agreement #1 to the Roadway Design Services master contract with Volkert, Inc. (Work Assignment No. 10) — up to $168,879.05.
- Amend prior commission order to correct a topographical error and reflect a consultant team modification.
- Execute Work Assignment No. 12 with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for final ROW plans for four bridge replacements on MS‑32 — up to $293,842.36.
- Execute Work Assignment No. 2 with WSP USA, Inc., for bridge inspections on US‑84 over the Mississippi River — up to $341,782.82.
- Execute Work Assignment No. 2 with Volkert for bridge hydraulic design on MS‑35 — up to $339,238.27.
- Execute Work Assignment No. 4 with Michael Baker International, Inc., for in‑depth inspections along I‑20 — up to $128,351.64.
- Execute supplemental agreement No. 1 to Work Assignment No. 7 with Neel‑Shaffer, Inc., for Phase B final construction plans for a proposed pedestrian bridge over Lakeland Drive — up to $75,973.05.
- Pass condemnation orders for listed parcels (item read into the record).
- Approve preliminary engineering utility agreements and surveying work assignments (Garver LLC) — amounts and project locations as listed.
- Concur with LPA recommendation to award construction bids and approve LPA supplemental agreements including the Burns Dirt Construction LLC agreement in Starkville.
- Approve FY26 airport federal matching grant awards (Attachment A and B) and authorize related airport development agreements.
- Authorize disposal or release of liens for property/vehicles in accordance with federal program requirements.
- Approve transit driver training (Crown Consulting Group) not to exceed $4,000 and other planning/environmental work assignments (Garver) — amounts as read.
- Ratify payroll and accounts payable dockets; approve commissioners' and executive director salaries and expenses as presented.
- Authorize statement of concurrence to purchase sole‑source replacement parts from Tinius Olsen and several contract extensions contingent on DFA approval.
- Authorize a contract with Nossaman LLP for specialized CM/GC nonlegal services not to exceed $249,300 and other legal work assignments as presented.
- Request an executive session under Section 25‑41‑7 of the Mississippi Code to discuss ongoing litigation and workers' compensation matters.

Context and next steps

Commission staff said there were no substantive questions on most items. Staff reminded commissioners that the Strategic Multimodal Investment Fund application was open and that modes have been notified. A work session was discussed for some topics raised later in the meeting. The commission recessed for the stated executive session items.