The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) a $60 million National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program (Mega) grant to support the widening of a section of I-10.
The grant program funds projects too large or complex for traditional funding programs. Mississippi’s is one of nine grants awarded.
“MDOT is very grateful to be among the handful of state DOTs awarded Mega grant funding this year,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said.
The I-10 project involves widening the interstate from four to six lanes just west of Diamondhead to just east of County Farm Road in Harrison County, where an existing 6-lane segment ends.
Other work includes the construction of a sound wall in the Diamondhead area, drainage improvements, and intelligent transportation system improvements.
“This funding and the project it supports will have a huge positive impact on South Mississippi residents and the 51,000 vehicles that travel I-10 each day,” Tom King, Mississippi Transportation Commission chairman, said. “This project will strengthen access to Southern cities across the entire Gulf Coast region, providing greater opportunities for economic development as well as a more efficient flow of goods and services.”
Work is expected to begin late this year or early 2024.