MDOT says I‑55 interchange preconstruction should be complete this year; construction funding still unresolved

Brad White, director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, told the Madison County Board of Supervisors on July 7 that the I‑55 interchange project between Madison and Gluckstadt should complete preconstruction work by the end of this calendar year and could proceed to bidding if construction funds are allocated.

White described ‘‘preconstruction’’ as the package of surveys, right‑of‑way acquisition, utility relocation and design work required before a project can be advertised for construction. He said if construction dollars are made available, MDOT expects to advertise the interchange project as early as this November and possibly by January.

White reviewed the legislative context: MDOT has received one‑time and recurring appropriations in recent sessions that have supported both capacity projects and maintenance work, and the department has directed funds to rebuild staffing and accelerate projects. He told the supervisors the department had secured roughly $1 billion in recent legislative sessions for large capacity projects statewide; however, a separate projects bill stalled this session amid disagreement between the House and Senate, leaving some projects — including I‑55 — awaiting final construction funding.

White also listed near‑term MDOT activity in Madison County: about $15 million invested in maintenance over the last two years, about $20 million currently under contract in the county, and approximately $35 million in smaller projects slated to begin next year. He said repairs to four bridges on Highway 51 had been prioritized, with two already closed for work and plans to sequence construction so affected landowners retain access.

Board members and White discussed construction timing and mitigation of traffic impacts while work is underway. White said MDOT is negotiating contract incentives to encourage early completion and minimize public disruption but acknowledged that some closures and delays are unavoidable when repairing bridges or building new interchange structures.

Ending: White said MDOT and state leaders view the I‑55 interchange as a priority and that the department will continue to press for construction funding in the next legislative session; no county action was required at the meeting.