JACKSON, Miss.--- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) would like to inform motorists of the following roadway closure update.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is working in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers to provide accurate information regarding the high flood water at the Mississippi River. MDOT is continuously working to update survey data along with the Corps of Engineers who are updating their inundation maps to identify the affected roadways.
“These road closures have been inconvenient to motorists in this region, and it is MDOT’s goal to return these highways to service as quickly as possible,” said Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall. “In order to do that, our men and women are working diligently to complete the necessary inspections on these roads and bridges to ensure motorists a safe route for travel. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this. I encourage everyone to continue to log onto our website, www.gomdot.com<http://www.gomdot.com>, for the latest information on roadway conditions.”
A BRIEF WORD ABOUT RE-OPENING HIGHWAYS – MDOT crews have been busy with debris removal, roadway inspection, bridge inspection, and road repairs to our affected highways. We will continue to monitor water surface elevations near our flood affected roadways in order to track the water’s retreat. In consultation with the Corps of Engineers we have made estimates on when the roads may be re-opened. These estimates will be revisited on a regular basis and revised as needed. These dates are merely estimates based on the most current information and should be used for planning purposes only. Be sure to check www.gomdot.com<http://www.gomdot.com> for updates. It is MDOT’s goal to return these highways to service as quickly as possible while at the same time keeping the safety of the travelling public at the forefront.
• US 49W – Humphreys & Yazoo Counties – Whittington Channel South of Silver City to Yazoo River (10 miles) - Estimated opening date- June 1.
o The underlying pavement drainage system remains saturated due to floodwater. An additional drop in water level is needed to adequately drain the system and preserve structural integrity so that the roadway can be re-opened.
• US 61/SR 3 – Warren County – North of Vicksburg at the US 61/SR 3 intersection near Redwood to Backwater Levee (4.5 miles) - Estimated opening date- June 1.
o The thru lanes are clear of water, but southbound entrance and exit ramps remain flooded at the SR 3 intersection. The underlying pavement drainage system remains saturated due to floodwater. An additional drop in water level is needed to adequately drain the system and preserve structural integrity so that the roadway can be re-opened.
• US 61 – Warren & Claiborne Counties- South of Vicksburg at the Big Black River (4.5 miles) – Estimated opening date- June 3.
o The floodwater has receded from the roadway but inspections and tests have identified some potential problems with the pavement. An addition drop in water level is needed so that further testing and possible repairs may be performed.
• SR 16 / SR 149 (Old Hwy 49W) – Yazoo County – Whittington Auxiliary Channel to Erickson Road (2.0 miles) – Estimated opening date- mid June.
o At present, the floodwater is 4.5’ over this road at its deepest point. Floodwaters will have to recede significantly before cleanup and inspection can be performed.
• SR 16 / SR 149 (Old Hwy 49W) – Yazoo County –Erickson Road to Yazoo River ( 7 miles)– Estimated opening date- June 1.
o Floodwaters remain on roadway in some limited areas. They have receded enough that most of the cleanup has already been performed. An additional drop is needed to finish cleanup, inspection, and any necessary repairs. Initially, this segment will be opened to local traffic only until the remaining segment near the Whittington Channel can re-opened at a later date.
• SR 465 – Warren & Issaquena County between US 61 & Eagle Lake (10 miles) – Estimated Opening date- mid to late June.
o Floodwaters are currently 8’ over the road at the deepest point. Floodwaters will have to recede significantly before any work is done on this segment.
• SR 24 – Wilkinson County near Fort Adams – The water is over the road 3 miles east of Fort Adams, it is approximately 6 inches deep across roadway and will continue to rise as the river reaches its crest – CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
GRAND GULF EVACUATION ROUTE CHANGES:
• US 61 - Claiborne County – Due to possible flooding on US 61, Sectors 1, 2A and 2B will use SR 462 to SR 27.
MDOT would also like to remind the public that a portion of I-20 near Edwards is closed to wide load traffic and Highway 27 has a width restriction of 12 feet between Utica and Vicksburg.
MDOT remind motorists to visit the website at www.goMDOT.com<http://www.goMDOT.com> for a list of road closures and possible highway reopening dates. Also, you can call MDOT Call Center at (866) 521-6368 for roadway information.
For the most up-to-date information in your area, please visit www.MSTraffic.com<http://www.mstraffic.com/> and sign up for your traffic alerts. Also, visit http://www.mstraffic.com/mobile to get the latest traffic information from MSTraffic.com on your mobile device. MDOT advises the public to pull off the road to a safe location if you need to check the MSTraffic.com website while driving. MDOT’s number one concern is the safety of the traveling public. For more information, contact the MDOT Public Affairs Division at 601-359-7074.
