FORREST — Drivers traveling along Interstate 59 and U.S. 98 in Forrest, Lamar and Jones counties are entering the final stretch of road construction projects that have caused traffic delays since 2022. 

According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, crews are continuing paving work as part of resurfacing and safety improvements expected to be completed in 2026. 

A $66.7 million safety improvement project is underway on Interstate 59 from the Lamar County line to just south of Moselle. According to MDOT, the project began in December 2022 with rubblization — a pavement rehabilitation technique — which crews completed in April 2024. 

Construction crews are now paving near the Interstate 59-U.S. 49 interchange. 

MDOT officials said crews have already placed a final lift of open-graded friction course on the northern end of the project. The same surface will be applied across the remainder of the corridor before construction is finished. 

A separate $4.3 million mill-and-overlay project is also underway along U.S. 98 in Forrest and Lamar counties. According to MDOT, the work includes milling and resurfacing from Weathersby Road to Interstate 59, replacing raised pavement markers and repairing damaged pavement along Hardy Street. 

The project also includes curb-and-gutter work. 

Construction hours may vary, and MDOT officials said crews may work overnight to reduce traffic impacts. Drivers should expect lane closures and short-duration ramp closures as paving continues in the coming months.

MDOT Southern Transportation District Commissioner Charles Busby announced the Interstate 59 safety project was awarded to Dunn Roadbuilders of Laurel and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. The U.S. 98 mill-and-overlay project was awarded to Warren Paving and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2026. 

Residents can view an interactive map of active construction projects on the MDOT website.