MDOT Nears Completion of First Phase of Highway 49 Median Construction Project in Gulfport

From: MDOT News Release   Filed 1/31/10  GCN

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is completing the first phase of construction on a safety enhancement project involving the construction of medians on Highway 49 in Gulfport.  That first phase involved median installations from Russell Boulevard to Airport Road.

The $613,400 project was awarded to Triangle Maintenance of Columbus, MS. in September.  The City of Gulfport had an extensive engineering study conducted that demonstrated a need for the project, which includes the construction of median islands that channelize vehicles to signalized intersections.

(GCN Photo Right: Median work on U.S. 49 in downtown Gulfport)

Due to scheduling and other concerns, the City of Gulfport has requested that crews begin the section of work from Community Road to Dedeaux Road for the next phase of work.

“Crews will now move to the section of roadway leading to Dedeaux Road,” said MDOT Project Engineer Chuck Starita.  “By working in cooperation with the city and the contractor, the project should continue to move along smoothly.  Crews will finish the remaining portion from Airport Road to Creosote Road in the final phase of construction.”

In addition to safety improvements, the new median islands will be constructed in a way that provides for attractive turf grass, along with stamped and colored concrete.  Some of the construction work will be performed at night. The project is scheduled for completion this summer.