Transportation Commission reviews contracts and signal upgrades, schedules executive session on litigation

The Transportation Commission reviewed routine contracts and project agreements and discussed an expansion of traffic‑signal monitoring technology during its meeting. Commissioners approved the minutes from the previous meeting and voted to go into executive session to discuss a litigation matter.

The commission heard staff presentations on a series of roadway and right‑of‑way items, including a work assignment under the roadway design master contract with Michael Baker International Inc. to prepare right‑of‑way plans for a shoulder‑widening and the replacement of four bridges along U.S. 11/U.S. 80 in Lauderdale County (work assignment amount not to exceed $236,227.21). Staff also described a supplemental agreement under the roadway design master contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for revisions to plans at Mississippi Highway 305 at Bethel Road in DeSoto County (supplement amount not to exceed $14,504.74; revised total contract $310,738.66) and the conveyance of a 0.08‑acre remnant along Mississippi Highway 61 in Jefferson County in exchange for $880 to an adjoining property owner.

Commissioners were briefed on a supplemental (class 3) agreement with Key LLC for bridge‑preservation work on I‑20 East and I‑55 North to reimburse an additional hydro‑demolition pass on an existing deck. That amendment is for $200,324.80, bringing the revised contract total to $24,779,206.80;…