LAUREL —
Work on Laurel’s infamous S-Curve project garnered the Mississippi Department of Transportation some national recognition this week.
MDOT was recognized Monday for the construction project that came in millions of dollars under budget.
The recognition was announced during the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) Annual Banquet in Little Rock, Arkansas.
At that meeting, MDOT received the American Association of State and Highway Officials (AASHTO) 2010 America’s Transportation Award for - under budget medium project - for the southeast for the Laurel S-Curve Reconstruction Project.
Kelly Castleberry, MDOT District Six Engineer, accepted the award, which was presented by MDOT Executive Director and AASHTO President Larry L. “Butch” Brown.
Officials said the project was for the reconstruction and realignment of Interstate 59 from 16th Avenue to 4th Avenue in Laurel.
MDOT District Area Engineer Brent Quick with the Laurel Project Office said the award is significant.
“It’s a prestigious award and it’s coming from a national organization,” Quick said Wednesday. “It’s really good to be recognized.”
The straightening of the S-Curve had been planned for over 20 years, but obstacles delayed the start of construction until August 2006.
MDOT officials said the project was needed to upgrade the section of Interstate 59 to current interstate standards by eliminating the S-Curve and improving other geometric, including vertical alignments and bridge widths.
Quick said the project, which was completed in September 2009, involved reconstructing approximately 1,663 feet of roadway and 1,979 feet of bridges.
According to a press release from MDOT, the project was completed in 2009 at a cost of $26 million-leaving a $6 million surplus from the bond issue.
Officials said the tremendous cost savings was due largely to the investment in redesign of the bridge using more cost-effective materials, as well as the close coordination throughout design and construction to avoid costly construction issues.
“We had a few change orders, but nothing substantial,” Quick said.
John Horsley, executive director of AASHTO, said the Laurel S-Curve project and similar projects from other southern states were crucial to the South's transportation infrastructure.
“These projects represent a tremendous value to the taxpayer and illustrate the complex tasks that go into modernizing and maintaining the nation's system of highways and bridges,” said Horsley. “In these tough economic times, state departments of transportation are making every dollar count and these outstanding projects clearly show how all of us benefit.”
AASHTO, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsor the competition to honor America’s very best in transportation.
“Clearly we are building great projects,” said Brown. “State transportation departments are working hard and we are being accountable, and we are performing with pride. This is a message we need to drive home with Congress - we need to let them know how important transportation funding is, and that we need a committed and reliable program to keep the momentum going.”
The Top Ten winners from all four regional competitions will be announced on Sept. 8th and will compete for the Grand Prize and People’s Choice Award.
The Grand Prize is awarded by an independent panel of transportation experts; the People’s Choice Award will be selected through on-line voting by the general public.
The winners will be announced on October 31, at AASHTO’s Annual Meeting in Biloxi.
Local News
Related Photos
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Photos of the newly-constructed S-Curve Bridge and the new Beacon Street interchanges prior to the new portion of Interstate-59 being opened to traffic. File Photo
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