Road construction continues on three sections of Highway 45 South as the Mississippi Department of Transportation moves forward with efforts to convert portions of the road from two lanes to four lanes.
The first project stretches from Highway 82 to four miles south of Highway 82.
Racon Inc., of Tuscaloosa, is handling the $17 million contract, said Jamie McDonald, District 1 construction engineer for MDOT.
Work began on the four-mile segment in July 2009 and is 90-95 percent complete. McDonald said the project is slated for completion by the beginning of 2012.
The second project is the four-laning of the portion of Highway 45 South from four miles south of Highway 82 to Carson Road.
Racon Inc. is also handling that project. The $9.5 million job began November 2010 and is slated for completion Sept. 28, 2012.
Work began on a third section of Highway 45 South, from Carson Road to Brooksville, in March. The $18 million project, which stretches 6.4 miles, is being handled by Phillips Construction of Columbus.
Work is scheduled for completion in June 2013.
McDonald said converting the road from two lanes to four lanes not only improves safety for drivers; it also improves economic development and makes it easier for the transport of goods along the route.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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