Laurel Leader Call

 

Contract awarded for next phase of I-59 improvements

 

By Eloria Newell James, community@leadercall.com

 

October 10, 2009 03:14 pm

 

— Officials say more improvements to Interstate-59 should begin within a week.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Friday that it has officially awarded an $11.6 million contract to Tanner Construction of Jones County to reconstruct two miles of roadway on Interstate 59 from Fourth Avenue to Chantilly Street in Laurel.
MDOT Project Manager Brent Quick said work on the interstate reconstruction project is scheduled to begin in the next week and will include clearing and grubbing along the highway, followed by roadway resurfacing.
Along with widening the roadway and bridges, crews will be relocating existing lighting and building retaining walls.
Quick said because there are extended lane closures throughout the project, detours will be available to motorists.
“Vehicles will be restricted to one lane both northbound and southbound in different phases,” said Quick. “Motorists are advised to look for signs that will be posted during each phase of construction, which will explain traffic restrictions.”
Wanda Benson with the City of Laurel’s Office of Public Relations, said this project addresses “many citizens’ concerns” about the lighting on the interstate near the new S-Curve.
“During the construction of the new S-curve, the lighting was removed,” Benson said. “We’ve been informed by Brent Quick that MDOT will replace those lights that are out near the S-Curve.”
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the I-59 S-Curve Reconstruction Project and David R. Brown Bridge Dedication was conducted on Sept. 10.
Quick confirmed that crews will be installing temporary lighting in the construction zone — which is near the S-Curve area — while permanent lights are constructed.
Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack said the city looks forward to the installation of the new lighting, which is a part of the project.
Mack said the city welcomes the overall project and recognizes its importance to the City of Laurel.
“The City of Laurel is grateful to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for working with us to expedite this project as well as the newly-completed improvements to the S-Curve,” Mayor Mack said. “The section of I-59 through Laurel has been known nationwide for the danger that it posed to travelers, as the site of many accidents and at least one death each year.
“Through the issuance of HELP bonds by the City of Laurel with reimbursement by MDOT, the project was started several years ahead of schedule,” Mack continued. “Thereby reducing accidents and deaths related to this treacherous segment of interstate.”
Quick said the portion of interstate involved in Tanner Construction’s contract currently does not have adequate shoulders for motorists.
Officials said, once completed, the highway will have six-foot shoulders on the inside and twelve-foot shoulders on the outside along the roadway.
“We are ecstatic that the Mississippi Department of Transportation has implemented such a comprehensive plan to improve this major thoroughfare through Laurel,” Mack said.
Quick said the I-59 widening project is estimated to take about a year to complete.

 

 

Laurel Leader Call

 

Septembeber 9, 2009

 

Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown announced Tuesday that a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of the reconstruction of the I-59 ‘S’ Curve in Laurel, has been set for 6 p.m. Thursday, September 10. A ceremony dedicating the I-59 bridge between Beacon Street and Fourth Avenue in memory of David R. Brown, original project engineer on the ‘S’ Curve project, will also be held in conjunction with the ribbon cutting.

The ceremonies will be held at the Laurel Train Depot at 230 Maple Street. The public and media are invited to attend.

According to Commissioner Brown, the completion of this project provides for the reconstruction and realignment of I-59 from 16th Avenue to 4th Avenue in Laurel. This section has now been upgraded to current interstate standards by eliminating the ‘S’ Curve and improving other geometrics, vertical alignments and bridge widths.

“MDOT’s number one priority is to provide a safe transportation system,” Brown said. “Upgrading and making improvements to the I-59 ‘S’ Curve has been one of our major endeavors. We are pleased that the reconstruction on this section of highway is now completed so that it will allow traffic to flow more efficiently and provide motorists with easier and safer commutes throughout the city of Laurel. And it is only fitting to name the I-59 bridge in memory of David Brown, the original project engineer on the ‘S’ Curve reconstruction project. Living in Laurel with his family, David knew firsthand the necessity and value of this project and was deeply committed not only to this project but to all projects in his area. David was a valuable employee and is deeply missed by all of us at MDOT.”

To begin construction on the I-59 ‘S’ Curve project, the City of Laurel utilized MDOT’s Highway Enhancement through Local Partnerships (H.E.L.P.) Program to secure the $32 million needed to advance the funding of this project. H.E.L.P. is an innovative method of financing priority projects by allowing MDOT to use bonds to enter into agreements with cities or counties to speed up the completion of a scheduled highway construction project.

Mayor Melvin Mack quoted that he is overjoyed that this long overdue project to correct the renowned I-59 ‘S’ Curve is now completed. “We at the City of Laurel are grateful to MDOT for the extra amount of effort they exhorted to ensure that this long awaited improvement would reach fruition,” he said. “Straightening the I-59 ‘S’ Curve will improve the quality of life for the citizens of Laurel, not only from the standpoint of public safety, but also because of the improved image that will be created for people traveling to and through the city.”

Susan Vincent, former mayor of the City of Laurel, added, “The infamous I-59 ‘S’ Curve has seen many lives lost and numerous injuries over the last 50 years. I appreciate the cooperation I received as Mayor of Laurel from MDOT in expediting this project. I spent 12 years working on this project. My first official meeting as mayor in 1993 was with MDOT concerning the ‘S’ Curve and my last official act as mayor in June 2005 was to pass a council order to issue up to $32 million in bonds to straighten the curve. My number one concern relating to the I-59 ‘S’ Curve has always been the safety of the people of Mississippi.”

During reconstruction of the I-59 ‘S’ Curve project, MDOT entered into a partnership with Mystic Seaport Museum, which is a leading maritime museum, to restore the Charles W. Morgan vessel. The live oak trees donated by MDOT for the restoration of the vessel were removed for the reconstruction of the Interstate 59 ‘S’ Curve project. The historical vessel was built in New Bedford, Mass., in 1841. The trees were used to rebuild part of the frame, backbone, stern and stem posts of the vessel.

Tanner Construction Company Inc. of Ellisville was the contractor on this project.

For more information on this ceremony, please contact Janet Sullivan at (601) 446-7358 or MDOT Outreach Division at (601) 359-7017.

Mississippi Business Journal

June 16, 2009

MDOT gives update on bridge

GREENVILLE — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released an update on the new Mississippi River bridge under construction at Greenville. The new bridge could see traffic as early as this summer.

Contractor Massman/Traylor Bros. has completed the main span of the four-lane cable-stayed structure. This $110 million project began in December 2001 and has been completed and released from maintenance.

The Arkansas approach portion of the project is roughly 1.25 miles long and consists of a four-lane roadway and a four-lane conventional bridge section that ties existing U.S. 82 in Arkansas to the main span. Austin Bridge & Road is the contractor working on this $66-million project. Work began in March 2006. The MDOT reports Austin has finished pouring all bridge deck concrete.

The Mississippi approach project is roughly 1.80 miles long and consists of a four-lane roadway and a four-lane conventional bridge section that ties existing U.S. 82 in Mississippi to the main span. Hill Brothers/Jensen, a joint venture, is the contractor on this $86-million project. Work began on this project in April 2006 and has been completed.

The demolition of the Old Highway 82 Bridge project consists of finishing the new bridge with a latex modified concrete riding surface. Thereafter, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge and crews will remove the old bridge.

The U.S. 82 Bypass project near Greenville is broken up into four phases. Phase I is currently under contract. The contractor awarded this project was Tanner Construction Company Inc. The original contract bid price is $32 million in which the contractor will be responsible for the grade, drain and bridge construction that will produce approximately six miles of interstate four-lane highway with two (2) large interchanges, one at State Route 454/existing U.S. Highway 82 near the river bridge and another at State Route 1, and grade separation bridges at local roads. This project began in March 2008 and is about 35 percent complete.

 

The projected completion date is September 2010. Phase II is to be let in the winter of 2010 and will be a grade, drain and bridge project approximately nine miles long. It will be the same interstate-type facility with one large interchange at existing U. S. 82 in Leland, and grade separation bridges at local roads.

 

Published March 11, 2009

By Kerry Lynn Kirby, To Constructionequipmentguide.com

 

Two decades ago, the Mississippi Department of Transportation began negotiations to clear the way for realignment of I-59 through Laurel, Miss., to alleviate a dangerous “S”-curved stretch of roadway.

 

It was especially hazardous for tractor-trailers, which risked shifting their loads in the 40-mph (64 kmh) curves, resulting in a rate of one or two accidents per month, said Red Stringfellow, MDOT’s District 6 Assistant Engineer for Construction.

 

“A lot of tractor-trailers have had wrecks in this curve,” said Stringfellow, who is glad to see the last remnant of the old S-curve being removed as a part of the $26.2 million realignment project that finally got under way in August 2006.

 

Tanner Construction Company Inc., of Ellisville, Miss., is the lead contractor on the job, which relocates the I-between the 13th Avenue overpass and the Fourth Avenue bridge a few hundred feet to the east of the old roadway, Stringfellow said.

 

The contract includes grading, drainage, bridge construction, paving, signal and light installation and removal of the old roadway embankment and bridge structures, he said. At this point, Tanner is on track to complete the project by August.

 

Since September, traffic formerly routed along that S-curve has been traveling a new 2,000-ft. bridge built to replace the old combination of three narrow bridges and shoulder-less roadway, said Stringfellow, noting the three old bridges are gone and work is in progress to remove the last roadway embankment.

 

Tanner Construction also is realigning the Jefferson Street extension so that it will line up with the southbound I-59 on- and off-ramps, he said.

 

While construction continues at the north end of the new bridge and on the two southbound ramps, safety is already greatly improved, said Stringfellow, who is not aware of any truck accidents occurring since the realignment.

 

“This project allowed the curve radii to be increased greatly and lengthen the deceleration and acceleration lanes to increase the safety through this section of roadway,” he said.

 

The total length of the project is 3,700 ft. (1,128 m), which includes the 2,000-ft. (610 m) bridge crossing Beacon, South Magnolia and Royal streets, Ellisville Boulevard and a railroad line.

 

Cranes have played an important role in the I-59 job, according to Calvin Davidson, estimator of Tanner Construction.

The drilled shaft foundation subcontractor, A.H. Beck Foundation Co. Inc., used a 130-ton (118 t) crane to construct 48-and 60-in. (122 and 152 cm) drilled shafts up to 80 ft. (24 m) long.

 

Tanner Construction used 125- and 130-ton (113 and 119 t) cranes to place the 72-in. (183 cm) bulb tee beams, each up to 140 ft. (43 m) long and weighing 50 to 60 tons (43 to 54 t).

 

“Bridge construction was accomplished with company-owned American and Manitowoc cranes up to 130-ton capacity,” Davidson said.

 

While Tanner uses mostly company-owned equipment, it does supplement with rentals.

 

“We do rent a significant amount of equipment from Puckett, Puckett Rents, Volvo Rents, Stribling Equipment LLC, Lyle Machinery and Rent All of Laurel,” he said.

 

Davidson praised the heavy equipment dealers they do business with saying, “We have excellent service here, mostly from Hattiesburg.”

 

Materials used on the project include roughly 5,500 cu. yd. (4,205 cu m) of concrete drill shaft piles, 37,000 ft. (11,278 m) of concrete prestressed beams,11,500 cu. yd. (8,792 cu m) of bridge concrete and approximately 30,000 tons of asphalt.

 

Walters Construction Co. Inc. was subcontracted for excavation work.

 

In addition to the 10,500 cu. yd. (8,028 cu m) of unclassified excavation cut and used as fill on project, 103,950 cu. yd. (79,475 cu m) of borrow fill has been brought in and 93,600 cu. yd. (71,562 cu m) of excess excavation material has been removed from project.

 

Other subcontractors include: Road-Pro Safety Inc., advanced traffic control signing; Tremac Resteel Inc., steel rebar tie; Miller Staking Inc., construction staking; RJM-McQueen Contracting Inc., erosion control and grassing; J.L. McCool Contractors Inc., traffic striping; Lewis Electric Inc., traffic signals; Atwood Fence Company Inc., guardrail and overhead signs; A-1 Sealing Inc., rumble strip and transverse bridge grooving; Synergy Earth Systems LLC, retaining wall system; and Durabridge-Precision Coating Contractors Inc., bridge painting.

 

Originally, I-59 was going to be a relocated U.S. 11, but while it was still under construction, in 1956, it was redesignated I-59. But the roadway lacked a shoulder and had very little acceleration/deceleration laning, adding to its safety issues.

 

One of the main factors that delayed MDOT’s plans for straightening out the S-curve was that the realignment would displace the 72 Laurel Housing units on Beacon Street, considered to have historical significance.

 

So MDOT had to hammer out a deal with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Housing Authority of Laurel, which ultimately involved relocating those 72 units to new, architecturally similar units built by MDOT.

 

The city of Laurel played a major role in keeping the project alive through the long process, and has been very cooperative in dealing with construction-related issues and inconveniences, Stringfellow said.

 

“There have been different ramps and local streets closed periodically during the contract. The City of Laurel and the emergency personnel associated with the city have been very accommodating.

 

“Some of the businesses located in the area have been impacted but have been understanding of the work and why it was needed. It has presented a challenge for downtown Laurel, but they’ve been very receptive and understanding.”

 

original link

 

Published February 2009

By Linda Cranford, To The Impact (Hattiesburg, Laurel, & Meridian)

 

On Thursday, February 12 the Laurel-Jones County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours was held at the old Eastman Gardiner and Company Lumbermen Building. Gary and Lori Tanner recently purchased the building and have made the necessary repairs to restore the building to it’s original condition. The restored edifice is now the headquarters for Tanner Construction.

The statement repeated throughout the evening by attendees was “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this building.” The building has long been a mystery to residents of Laurel and visitors alike, with its’ garden setting surrounded by a brick wall and wrought iron fence. Few people have had the opportunity to get a glimpse inside this historical building.

According to documents provided by the Tanners, the building was constructed in 1912 and designed by prominent New York architect Frank A. Colby. It’s lay-out was inspired by a summer house (which Italians call a casino) built around 1584 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, grandson of Pope Paul III Farnese in Caprarola, which is located just north of Rome.

The style of the building is primarily Italian Renaissance; however, it has elements of several architectural styles: English, French, Roman and American. In August of 1977, three months after graduating from Mississippi State University with a civil engineering technology degree, Gary Tanner started Tanner Construction with one John Deer 450 bulldozer. By April 1978 he was able to add another bulldozer and then a third in June.

“Back then I had no idea we would grow to be this big,” explained Tanner. “I’ve had a lot of help along the way. Mr. Nemo Clark with Clark’s Engineering was instrumental in helping me get my first state aid road project in 1979, a two-mile project. The business has blossomed from there.”

Today, Tanner Construction has two asphalt plants and has the capability to take on any size road or bridge construction project.

“I started out with one employee,” said Tanner, “and now we have over 250.”

Tanner’s secretary, Janie Koehne, has been with him since 1985. “I can tell you why we are among the top five largest road construction companies in Mississippi, said Koehne. “It’s because we have a good Christian man at the wheel with a dedicated and supportive wife behind him. Not only does he profess it (his Christianity), he lives it. It has been a joy to watch him grow, to see the integrity and hard work he shows and the compassion he has for his employees. Most of us have been here a long time. If you walked down this hall and asked the people in these offices how long they’ve been here, you would hear 10 to 15 years or longer.”

It seems only fitting that Gary Tanner and his wife Lori, with such humble beginnings, would end up as owners of this beautiful and historic building.

 

original link

 

Published February 2009

By Federal Highway Administration, To fhwa.dot.gov

 

Honorable Mention

U.S. Route 61, Liberty Road Interchange
Natchez, Mississippi

 

Natchez, Mississippi, is a historic city known for its magnificent antebellum homes. The intersection of U.S. 61 and Liberty Road was a bottleneck that discouraged economic activity and hindered visitors. U.S. 61 is a major northsouth arterial and the Liberty Road connects downtown Natchez and the Natchez Trace Parkway. U.S. 61 was a four-lane roadway except for a stretch where there was only room for two lanes making the intersection congested, dangerous, and difficult to navigate. The design for the new interchange includes a bridge wide enough to carry six lanes of U.S. 61 spanning over seven full lanes of Liberty Road, providing for acceleration lanes, a left-turn lane, and full-width shoulders. New project signage makes navigating easy and intuitive. The bridge design and architectural elements mesh with the area's distinct historic character and serve as a "gateway" to the community.

 

Designer: ABMB Engineers, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Contractor: Tanner Construction Co., Inc., Ellisville, MS
Owner: Mississippi Department of Transportation, Jackson, MS

 

original link

 

 

Published January 1, 2009
By South Central Construction

 

Tanner Construction Co., of Ellisville, Miss., Has the $42 million contract to widen the two state highways in this 25-mi job. It involves a new SR63 from U.S. Hwy 98 near Lucedale to SR 57 near Leakesville, bypassing Leakesville and running parallel to SR 57 to Turkey Creek, says Calvin Davidson, project manager.

 

Tanner will treat the subsoil with cement, then lay 6 in of rock and red sand, then treat that with cement before laying down 6 in of asphalt.

 

Site preparation, utility relocation, drainage and bridge construction were done in an earlier, separate contract.

 

The Existing roads will become property of the counties. Completion is in 2011.

 

 

Published December 11, 2008 09:53 am

By Layla Essary, To the Leader-Call

 

Among the many projects currently underway all across South Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is particularly proud of three projects which will significantly impact area motorists.

I-59 S-Curve Reconstruction

The first is the reconstruction of the Interstate 59 “S-Curve” in Laurel which began in August of 2006. The $26 million project was awarded to Tanner Construction Co., Inc. of Ellisville and is scheduled to be completed by next fall.

Some road closures have been in place during construction. Crews are nearing completion of the removal of the old bridges and roadway, which will allow the contractor to finish work on the new bridge and new southbound ramps.

“This bridge and highway construction project has progressed well over the past two years,” MDOT District Six Construction Engineer Red Stringfellow said. “As we enter the final phase of work motorists can still expect some closures of local roads.”

Once completed I-59 will be realigned from 16th Avenue to Fourth Avenue in Laurel, with two new Beacon Street exits. The bridge overpass comprises nearly half of the .74 mile long project.

U.S. Highway 84 Four-lane Project

The second project involves the completion of an important east-west four lane corridor through Mississippi.

Once completed, U.S. Highway 84 will be four-laned from Natchez at the Louisiana state line continuing east to the Alabama State line. Grading work on this final segment of construction of Highway 84 has been completed.

A $26.3 million paving project was recently awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel to complete the construction and surfacing of the 16 mile segment of Highway 84.

The final phase of the Highway 84 project, also known as the “El Camino Corridor”, is scheduled to begin March of 2009. The work will consist of expanding the existing two lane highway into four lanes, constructing a new bridge, and building roadway on new location.

The project, which is part of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program, is scheduled for completion in 2011.

“The completion of this project signals the last project to be classified as part of 1987 Four-Lane Program in South Mississippi and we are proud of the results of that program,” said MDOT Southern Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown. “Because of their outstanding legislative leadership, the citizens of Mississippi are continuing to reap the rewards of their work through economic development and increased mobility.”

Brown added that the Highway 84 project was made possible because of support of officials throughout the region.

Highway 63 and Highway 57 Four-lane Project.

 

 

Photo/SubmittedMembers of the Jones County Genealogical & Historical Organization and their guests have been invited to tour the newly renovated office building of the Tanner Construction Company, Inc. at 102 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel. Gary C. Tanner, President and Owner of Tanner Construction Company, Inc., has recently relocated his corporate offices to the newly renovated historic building, originally constructed in 1912 and known as the Eastman Gardiner and Company Building.  The stately building has been completely renovated inside. The beautiful fenced grounds will also be improved with new shrubs and plants in the plans for the landscaping project. The tour of the office building to be known as the Tanner Construction Company, Inc. building will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Magnolia Street entrance. Cameras are welcome. For more information, call 601-518-7895.

 

Wednesday, October 01, 2008
From staff reports

 

Motorists traveling in Covington County will soon enjoy the completion of the new U. S. Highway 84 bypass.According to Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) District Engineer Darrell Broome, MDOT will officially open the U.S. Highway 84 bypass in Collins on Monday.

Traffic will open to four lanes except at the beginning and the end of the project.

At the beginning of the project and at the end of the project, traffic will be flowing in both directions in the existing westbound lanes to allow crews to complete construction on this project.

The new interchange of U.S. Highway 84 will be fully operational.

The new signals at the intersection of U. S. Highway 49 and Ora Swamp Road and Sunset Road will also be activated on Monday.

Motorists are advised to drive slowly through the area while adjusting to the new traffic patterns. As crews continue to work in the area, the public is urged to use extreme caution and watch out for equipment and construction crews in the area.

 

Tanner Construction Co. was the low bidder on the project.

 

 

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

By Steve Sanders, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com

 

There was a strange sight on the I-59 S-curve through Laurel Monday morning — two-way traffic on the new span.

 

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Tanner Construction of Ellisville opened the new southbound lane to traffic Monday around 11:30 a.m., switching it from the old S-curve, which will soon be just a bad memory.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Red Stringfellow, assistant District Engineer/Construction. “It’s a good feeling. A lot of people have put a lot of time into this project.”

Planning of “straightening” the S-curve began more than 20 years ago, and it culminated with the opening of the southbound lane Monday, following a $26 million project.

Even though traffic now flows both ways, the project itself is far from over. Between now and an August 2009 completion date, entrance and exit ramps still remain to be opened (and some remain to be closed), and the old roadway be broken up and leveled into oblivion.

Now that both lanes are open, work begins to take out the Sixth Avenue bridge, according to Stringfellow, followed by the Beacon Street bridge and both lanes of the old S-curve. There is still another span of the new southbound lane to complete, north of the new construction.

“Once the Sixth Avenue bridge is torn down, they will tear out the Beacon Street roadway while they complete the north end (of the southbound lane),” Stringfellow said. “Then they can complete the ramps. Once that has been achieved, Jefferson Street (in front of South Central Regional Medical Center) will be realigned.”

The Jefferson Street project, as the new I-59 lanes, will still be in the form of a curve, but will be straighter.

“It will be straighter but will tie into Beacon at the new ramps. It will be straighter than it is now,” he said.

The old roadway through the S-curve will disappear, Stringfellow said. It will also be graded level.

Because of the opening of the southbound lane Monday, the southbound entrances to the old S-curve from Beacon Street and South Fourth Avenue are permanently closed. For now, the only access to the southbound lane is either the Cook Avenue or Sixteenth Avenue entrance ramps, and probably will be until new southbound access ramps are completed, probably in the spring or summer of 2009.

Stringfellow said that after the S-curve project is completed, MDOT will probably turn its attention to the 24 entry and exit ramps at the six interchanges on I-59 through Laurel.

“The normal interstate standard is one mile of separation between interchanges,” he said. “We have six interchanges in Laurel within a three-mile section. We will look at a study to perhaps improve the interchanges in Laurel.”

Stringfellow also said MDOT will let maintenance overlay bids in October for the I-59 northbound and southbound lanes between Ellisville and Moselle. A portion of the work will be to fill in the median and a lot of the deep fill sections, he said.

“We’re going to improve the safety through that area.”

 

 

WAYNE AND GREEN COUNTIES, MISS., Monday, May 7, 2007 – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is announcing the upcoming opening of the newly four-laned “Stateline Bypass” of U.S. 45 and State Route 57 in Greene and Wayne Counties.  The 5.3 mile grading, drainage, paving and bridge construction project will be opened on Monday, May 14, 2007.  Work on the $28 million project was completed by Tanner Construction in two phases so that traffic could be maintained on the roadway.

 

MDOT Southern Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown said this project fits into a larger plan to provide a new north-south corridor through the entire state of Mississippi.

 

“This important achievement of connecting Highway 45 to Highway 57 is the beginning of the completion of a great four lane highway from Tennessee to the great industrial city of Pascagoula,” said Commissioner Brown.  “This roadway will serve east Mississippi and all of the state for generations to come and will prove to be a catalyst for the economic growth of the entire region.”

 

Motorists should be aware of on-going construction and changes in traffic patterns in the project area.    A traffic swap will take place at the following locations:

 

• - Southbound Highway 45 traffic will be diverted onto the newly constructed lanes of traffic six miles south of the community of Buckatunna. 
• - Northbound Highway 57 traffic will be diverted onto the newly constructed lanes of traffic two miles south of the town of Stateline.

                                      

MDOT project engineer Scott White said the public should be aware of all construction signing in the work zone for many weeks to come.  Later this month, crews will begin work to pave the northbound lanes of Highway 45

 

 

LAUREL, MISS., Wednesday, February 21, 2007— The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is nearing completion of the foundation work for the reconstruction of the Interstate 59 S-Curve and plans to place the first set of beams this week.  MDOT project engineer Red Stringfellow will be on site tomorrow to answer any questions from the media about the installation of the 135 ft. beams.  The $26 million project was awarded to Tanner Construction of Ellisville, MS last summer.

Plans call for the road to be reconstructed and realigned on Interstate 59 from 16th Avenue to Fourth Avenue in Laurel, with two new Beacon Street exits.  The project is .74 miles long, and half of that distance will include the construction of a bridge overpass. District Six Engineer Ricky Lee said crews were able to construct the foundation through a “drill shaft” process”, meaning that residents and businesses have been spared the noise of traditional pile driving.

“For several months, crews have worked to secure the bridge foundation in a less intrusive manner than the disruption caused by driving piles,” said Ricky Lee.  “Now work can begin on the placing of bridge beams, and the public will be able to see the bridge start to take shape.” Construction is expected to take three years. 

 

I-59 in Laurel was constructed in 1961, prior to the adoption of current standards.  In 1986, environmental studies were conducted, which began the effort to reconstruct the S-Curve to present standards.

 

 

LAUREL, MISS., Friday, February 16, 2007— The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is nearing completion of the foundation work for the reconstruction of the Interstate 59 S-Curve and plans to place the first set of beams starting next week.  The $26 million project was awarded to Tanner Construction of Ellisville, MS last summer.

Plans call for the road to be reconstructed and realigned on Interstate 59 from 16th Avenue to Fourth Avenue in Laurel, with two new Beacon Street exits.  The project is .74 miles long, and half of that distance will include the construction of a bridge overpass. District Six Engineer Ricky Lee said crews were able to construct the foundation through a “drill shaft” process, meaning that residents and businesses have been spared the noise of traditional pile driving.

“For several months, crews have worked to secure the bridge foundation in a less intrusive manner than the disruption caused by driving piles,” said Ricky Lee.  “Now work can begin on the placing of bridge beams, and the public will be able to see the bridge start to take shape.” Construction is expected to take three years. 

I-59 in Laurel was constructed in 1961, prior to the adoption of current standards.  In 1986, environmental studies were conducted, which began the effort to reconstruct the S-Curve to present standards.

 

 

HATTIESBURG, MISS., Tuesday, June 27, 2006— The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has received an apparent low bid proposal of $26,032,956 from Tanner Construction Co., Inc. of Ellisville, MS on the reconstruction of the Interstate 59 S-Curve in Laurel.  MDOT plans to award the contract on July 11, 2006 and issue a notice to proceed August, 10, 2006.

 

Plans call for the road to be reconstructed and realigned on Interstate 59 from 16th Avenue to Fourth Avenue in Laurel, with two new Beacon Street exits.  District Six Engineer Ricky Lee said eliminating the S-Curve and upgrading to interstate standards will create a safer roadway for motorists.

 

“Once MDOT awards the construction contract in July, we’ll begin this project of great significance to the people in Laurel, Jones County and the region as a whole,” said Lee.  “MDOT looks forward to the opportunity to create a safer, better transportation corridor for motorists who travel Interstate 59.”

 

Lee said construction is scheduled to start in August, 2006 and will last about three years.  The project is .74 miles long, and half of that distance will include the construction of a bridge overpass. Project Engineer Red Stringfellow said motorists may be surprised to learn that traffic flow should not be significantly impacted until the final months of the project.

 

“The driving public will see little or no changes in traffic patterns during construction, in part because the interstate will remain a four lane roadway,” said Stringfellow.  “However, reduced speeds will be enforced and speeding fines will be doubled in the construction zone.”

 

I-59 in Laurel was constructed in 1961, prior to the adoption of interstate standards.  In 1986, environmental studies were conducted, which began the effort to reconstruct the S-Curve to interstate standards.

 

 

 

Published June 28, 2006

By Brian Livingston, community@laurelleadercall.com

 

It’s not very often you can get a major construction job so close to home. In fact, Gary Tanner, owner of Tanner Construction Co. in Ellisville, is going to enjoy this as much as possible.“We’re really excited about first getting the bid and secondly, being able to stay close to home to work,” said Tanner Tuesday by phone. “That just doesn’t happen very often.”

Tanner’s company was the low bidder at $26 million in regards to the construction project to straighten out the S-curve in Laurel. The dangerous one-mile section of Interstate 59 that winds through Laurel has been a topic of discussion for more than a decade by local and state lawmakers. According to a press release, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to officially award the contract on July 11 if the bid meets all specifications and issue a notice to proceed on Aug. 10.

Plans call for the road to be reconstructed and realigned from South Fourth Avenue to 16th Avenue. The project calls for two new Beacon Street exits. The project is .74 miles long, and half of that distance will include the construction of a bridge overpass.

“We’ve been looking at this project for 10 years,” said Tanner. “I told someone once that we’d be the guys to do this, but they didn’t believe me. I’m excited about the project.”

Currently on a bridge project near Natchez, Tanner said the bridge part of this project would be one his crew can jump right in and begin building.

“Usually we have some bed work to do, but here we don’t,” he said. “The site is basically ready for us to bring in cranes and to start work. That’s an aspect of the job I like.”

 

An added bonus, of course, is working so close to home.

 

 

JACKSON, MISS., Monday, April 17, 2006—According to District Engineer Darrell Broome, motorists should be aware that Liberty Road will be closed to traffic at Highway 61 overpass bridges in Natchez, Miss.

 

On Tuesday, April 18, at approximately 11 a.m., crews will close Liberty Road to all traffic at Highway 61 overpass bridges in Adams County.  The detour for west-to-east traffic on Liberty Road will be North Shields Lane to Wood Avenue to Highway 61 north to the Highway 61 northeast exit ramp.  The detour for east-to-west traffic on Liberty Road will be the Highway 61 northeast entrance ramp then across Highway 61 to the southbound detour.

 

The detour for motorists traveling between Highway 61 and west (downtown) Liberty Road will be to use Wood Avenue and North Shields Lane.  A protected left turn lane and signal will be provided at the Wood Avenue/Highway 61 intersection for this detour.  East Liberty Road traffic will continue to use the northeast entrance/exit ramps for Highway 61 access.

 

“The southbound overpass bridge on Highway 61 at Liberty Road will be closed to traffic,” said Broome. “The southbound traffic will be diverted to the newly constructed detour at this location. Motorists traveling southbound will re-enter Highway 61 on newly constructed lanes between the detour and Wood Avenue, which will be shifted to the right from its present location. There will be signage at the designated detours to direct motorists.”

 

Tanner Construction, of Ellisville, Miss., was the contractor awarded this project at a cost of $18 million.

 

JACKSON, MISS., Monday, March 27, 2006—The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging motorist to slow down and be cautious as they travel U.S. Highway 61/Liberty Road Interchange in Natchez, according to District Engineer Darrell Broome.

 

On Tuesday, March 28, at 11 a.m., the existing southwest and northeast entrance/exit ramps at the interchange of U.S. Highway 61 and Liberty Road will be closed to traffic.

 

The new northeast entrance/exit ramps will be open for Liberty Road traffic to access both northbound and southbound on U.S. Highway 61 and for northbound U.S. Highway 61 traffic to access Liberty Road. The north part of the southbound detour in the northwest quadrant of the interchange will be opened for southbound U.S. Highway 61 traffic to access Liberty Road.

 

In addition, U.S. Highway 61 northbound traffic will be shifted to the left onto the newly constructed roadway between the new intersection at the entrance/exit ramps and the existing traffic signal at Natchez High School.

 

The left turn access to businesses in this new lane shift section will be limited, since the continuous left-turn lane between northbound and southbound U.S. Highway 61 traffic will be closed.

 

MDOT crews will activate a new traffic signal on U.S. Highway 61 at the intersection of Highway 61 and the northeast entrance/exit ramps.  New signals will also be activated on Liberty Road at the intersection of the entrance/exit ramps and the intersection of the southbound detour.

“We (MDOT) ask that all motorists slow down as they approach the interchange and proceed with caution,” said Broome. “Any change in traffic conditions can cause some initial confusion.”

 

Tanner Construction Company, Inc. of Ellisville, Miss., was awarded the low bidder on this project at a cost of $18.4 million.