Mississippi

[cjk374]

I saw the progress on I-55 in Byram and south Jackson yesterday.  I am highly disappointed in MDOT.  Why didn't they use concrete for the new pavement instead of hot mix??  They will be reworking all of that in 10 years or less after they complete the project.

[codyg1985]

Concrete is a bad idea in that area due to the Yazoo clay that is prevalent in the area (although there are a few places where concrete is used). If you had the rigid pavement have undulations like what you have along I-20 near the I-220 interchange, the pavement would be cracked to hell and back. Flexible asphalt pavement just goes along for the bumpy ride.

It is disappointing that the project seems to be taking a while to complete (just like the northern project). More Yazoo clay was found than anticipated on that project, so it has to be dealt with before the planned construction can resume.

[cjk374]

Why didn't they dig out all of the yazoo clay before repaving?  Wasn't that hauled in to use as a sub base when the interstate was originally built, or is that the native soil there?

[codyg1985]

Why didn't they dig out all of the yazoo clay before repaving?  Wasn't that hauled in to use as a sub base when the interstate was originally built, or is that the native soil there?

It is native to central Mississippi. I am not sure why that was missed during the design because typically such things are caught during geotechnical investigation where the geotechnical firm will perform soil borings. Either they didn't go down deep enough, they didn't perform enough borings, or MDOT took a risk that they wouldn't run into any problems with it after finding it in a few of the borings.

[codyg1985]

I did not realize this, but it looks like the partial interchange of D'Iberville Road with I-10 just west of the I-10/110 interchange will be a diverging diamond: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4505926,-88.9033565,983m/data=!3m1!1e3

[brownpelican]

Why didn't they dig out all of the yazoo clay before repaving?  Wasn't that hauled in to use as a sub base when the interstate was originally built, or is that the native soil there?

It is native to central Mississippi. I am not sure why that was missed during the design because typically such things are caught during geotechnical investigation where the geotechnical firm will perform soil borings. Either they didn't go down deep enough, they didn't perform enough borings, or MDOT took a risk that they wouldn't run into any problems with it after finding it in a few of the borings.

When that highway was originally built, the contractors dumped the clay on the side of the road instead of hauling it off. When the current construction started, they found the clay and had to halt the work.

[pctech]

I stopped at the Miss. I-10 eastbound welcome center recently. I noticed they had a brochure explaining the flashing amber left turn signal. Just wondering, how fast is it be deployed in the state?

[codyg1985]

There have been some installed in the Jackson metro area. https://www.google.com/maps/@32.312214,-90.175199,3a,75y,292.05h,82.17t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sAStbI4DDzb_YDf7pL6jyWw!2e0!5m1!1e1

[golden eagle]

Somehow, I missed the news about the construction going on at the Downtown Brandon exit on I-20. I saw it on my way home tonight. Here's a scope of the project:

http://www.cityofbrandon.net/project/interstate20/

[codyg1985]

I was hoping the entire curve was being realigned. I guess that project will make way for that if/when the money is available.

[golden eagle]

I was hoping the entire curve was being realigned. I guess that project will make way for that if/when the money is available.

I was hoping the same.

[golden eagle]

MDOT has rejected bids on all design-build proposals for I-55 work in the south Jackson/Byram area, due to "several major errors".

http://msbusiness.com/blog/2015/04/24/bids-received-on-i-55-do-over-selection-pending/

[codyg1985]

The story said that there was a design flaw which shut down the project, and then later the Yazoo clay was discovered. What is the initial design flaw?

[cjk374]

Why didn't they dig out all of the yazoo clay before repaving?  Wasn't that hauled in to use as a sub base when the interstate was originally built, or is that the native soil there?

It is native to central Mississippi. I am not sure why that was missed during the design because typically such things are caught during geotechnical investigation where the geotechnical firm will perform soil borings. Either they didn't go down deep enough, they didn't perform enough borings, or MDOT took a risk that they wouldn't run into any problems with it after finding it in a few of the borings.

When that highway was originally built, the contractors dumped the clay on the side of the road instead of hauling it off. When the current construction started, they found the clay and had to halt the work.

While the design flaw brought a halt to the project, it was also discovered that an excessive amount of Yazoo clay had been dumped on the apron of the roadway during initial construction in the 1970s.

That meant that the excess clay will have to be excavated and removed. Also the department will conduct soil boring farther out from the roadbed in future projects, McGrath said. The clay is known for its instability.

Finally....common sense is working its way to actually getting the road fixed right!   

[golden eagle]

MDOT applies for I-22 designation:

http://msbusiness.com/2015/05/mississippi-highway-dept-applies-for-i-22-designation/

[rel4]

On I-55 in Madison County, the new Exit 107 (Madison Ave/Colony Park Blvd) is fully open. All lanes of I-55, both one way frontage roads, and all 4 lanes of Madison Ave are also fully open.

http://m.wapt.com/news/all-sections-open-in-split-diamond-project/32861248

[golden eagle]

On I-55 in Madison County, the new Exit 107 (Madison Ave/Colony Park Blvd) is fully open. All lanes of I-55, both one way frontage roads, and all 4 lanes of Madison Ave are also fully open.

http://m.wapt.com/news/all-sections-open-in-split-diamond-project/32861248

It looks really nice.

[golden eagle]

The state's first diverging diamond interchange to open Tuesday in D'Iberville:

http://sp.mdot.ms.gov/Public%20Affairs/Lists/News%20Releases/Item/displayifs.aspx?List=ae1b236c-924d-498c-b14e-aafec6dc2864&ID=1525&Source=http://spgomdot/Public%2520Affairs/Pages/News-Releases.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010087606675CA7A95408B80E8BFBB944273&IsDlg=2

[golden eagle]

South Philadelphia bypass picks up steam:

http://m.wapt.com/news/proposed-philadelphia-southern-bypass-picks-up-steam/33483290

This is mainly due to the Weyerhaeuser plant there.

[cjk374]

South Philadelphia bypass picks up steam:

http://m.wapt.com/news/proposed-philadelphia-southern-bypass-picks-up-steam/33483290

This is mainly due to the Weyerhaeuser plant there.

What road is that pictured in the story? Just some random road pic?

[froggie]

It's possibly a view of southbound I-55 at Woodrow Wilson Ave in Jackson.  Otherwise, it'd have to be some random pic.  SB I-55 there is the only road in the state that would have similar geometry/striping to what's in the image.

[golden eagle]

Yes, that is the I-55/Woodrow Wilson area. Maybe MDOT or WAPT were too lazy to provide a Philadelphia-area picture.

[froggie]

Either too lazy or an incompetent news producer.  A prudent news station would've sent a crew to Philadelphia to shoot video and do interviews.

[cjk374]

It's been just over 20 years since I've been in Philly (taking pictures of Midsouth. Rail Corp's locomotives before the KCS takeover went into full throttle). I don't remember that being such a large town. But times change.

[golden eagle]

Philadelphia's not a big town (about 7,500), but the casinos on the Choctaw reservation has given the town an identity.