JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) said crews are making progress on a mill and overlay project along Interstate 20 in Jackson.

The project consists of removing open-graded friction course (OGFC) pavement on interstates in the Jackson-metro area. This includes I-20 from McRaven Road to the I-20/I-55 split and from the I-20/I-55 split to east of State Route 468, along with Interstate 55 throughout Hinds County.

Once the milling work has taken place on the problem areas, MDOT officials said crews will apply a one-inch overlay to make riding conditions smoother for drivers in Jackson. To limit traffic impact, crews are performing the work during overnight lane closures. To further expedite work, crews will continue paving operations on weekends if cold temperatures rule out paving during the week.

This week, crews continue milling and paving I-20 westbound followed by the eastbound side of I-20 near Interstate 220. This includes addressing asphalt failures and repaving the tie-ins on both directions of I-20.

The additional work consists of milling and overlaying the Gallatin Street connector ramp to I-20 westbound and the Gallatin Street loop ramp to I-20 eastbound. A portion of the project consists of placing high-friction surface treatment on the ramp from I-55 south to I-20 west.

“With most work taking place during the evening hours and occasionally weekends, we’d like to remind motorists to slow down when approaching this work zone,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. “Please stay alert for roadside crews and give them the space to complete this critical improvement project as quickly and safely as possible. This segment of the interstate system has received its share of complaints, and I am grateful that we are able to make it a safer and easier ride.”

The $14 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. The work is anticipated to wrap up summer 2024.