Transportation commissioners defer MS‑25 bypass design work, approve multiple MDOT contracts and settlements

The Mississippi Transportation Commission spent much of its meeting on routine contract approvals and settlements but paused action on a key right‑of‑way design work assignment for the Mississippi Highway 25 bypass at Amory after commissioners requested more financial detail.

Commissioners agreed to postpone consideration of work assignment number 10 under MDOT’s roadway design services master contract with HDR Engineering Inc., which would provide Phase A final right‑of‑way plans for the Highway 25 bypass at Amory from U.S. 278 to the Highway 25 connector. The work assignment was listed at an amount not to exceed $820,057.62.

The delay followed a request from Commissioner Conway for a more detailed accounting and timeline for the project. "I'd like to put a table that until the next meeting so I can get a further update on the that project and expenses on it," Conway said during the discussion. The commission chair and other commissioners debated whether delaying would conflict with the legislative earmark that funded advance work on the project. The Executive Director said the work remains within the amount of the legislative earmark and that the funds had been provided outside MDOT’s regular budget to advance…