The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has provided updates on significant construction and maintenance projects throughout north Mississippi. Key developments include major projects in Lafayette County, specifically the construction of new roundabouts and the widening of State Route 7.
Construction is ongoing at the interchange of State Route 7 and University Avenue in Oxford, where new roundabouts are being developed. Currently, all four interchange ramps remain operational, with traffic utilizing the inside lanes during the construction phase. Work has focused on the outer sections of the roadway, and the installation of drainage systems, curbing, guttering, and concrete work has reached completion. This project, valued at $4.9 million, has been contracted to Cook & Son, LLC based in Smithville, with an expected completion date set for spring 2026.
Another major initiative in Oxford is the widening of State Route 7, one of the largest projects currently underway in the region. This $138.7 million project aims to expand State Route 7 to four lanes, stretching from Belk Boulevard to County Road 370, just south of the State Route 7/State Route 9 roundabout. In addition to widening the highway, the project encompasses grading, drainage, bridge construction, paving, and various safety improvements for motorists. The contract for this extensive work has been awarded to Talbot Bros. Construction, with an anticipated completion date in the fall of 2029.
Regional Projects Underway
In Panola County, a $13.6 million project is nearing completion, focused on milling and overlaying approximately 14 miles of U.S. 278/State Route 6. The mainline paving has been finished, and the contractor is now awaiting warmer weather to finalize permanent striping, along with grinding and clay gravel placement. Lehman-Roberts Company from Memphis, Tennessee, is managing this project, which is expected to conclude this fall.
Yalobusha County is also seeing significant infrastructure improvements. A $20.1 million project is in progress to replace four bridges along U.S. 51. One bridge has already been completed, while another site is currently detoured as crews finalize bridge approaches. Work continues on the remaining bridges, with completion anticipated by summer 2026. This project has been awarded to Talbot Brothers Contracting Co. Inc. of Nesbit.
Additionally, a separate $12.2 million initiative to replace the U.S. 51 bridge over the Yocona River is advancing. Bridge and rail pours are already complete, with asphalt work scheduled to commence once temperatures rise. The work is being carried out by Century Construction of Tupelo, with an expected completion in spring 2026.
Updates on these and other active projects in the region can be accessed at GoMDOT.com/Projects.
