Mississippi Transportation Commission approves slate of MDOT work assignments, contracts and agreements; moves to executive session on workers' comp

At its meeting (date not specified in the transcript), the Mississippi Transportation Commission approved a consent package of authorizations covering bridge design and right-of-way work, construction supplemental agreements, master contracts for testing and design services, property conveyances and professional services contracts.

The package included work assignments under MDOT master contracts to design right-of-way plans for bridge replacements on Mississippi Highway 28 in Neshoba County and on Mississippi Highway 3 over Satarsha Creek in Yazoo County; a series of training and hydraulic engineering assignments under Michael Baker International; a quality-assurance inspection assignment for sign structure steel fabrication; and an agreement with Warren County to relocate a crossover and two connections to U.S. 61 related to the Vicksburg Port expansion. Several property quitclaim deeds conveying surplus right of way to adjoining property owners were approved, with stated exchange payments.

Why it matters: the approvals fund and authorize engineering, construction and right-of-way work on state highways and bridges, set up master contracts that MDOT will use for future work assignments and establish agreements that affect local traffic and port expansion projects.

Key actions and financial items approved by the commission included:

- Work assignments and design services: HDR Engineering Inc. (work assignment not to exceed $169,008.41) for bridge No. 37.6 on Mississippi Highway 28; Volcker Inc. (not to exceed $129,321.21) for bridge No. 21.2 over Satarsha Creek on Mississippi Highway 3; Michael Baker…