LAUREL, MISS., As a finalist in America’s Transportation Award competition, the public is invited to an informational rally promoting the Interstate 59 S-Curve Reconstruction Project in Laurel in a national online voting contest. The rally will be held at Laurel City Hall, Friday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. and will be hosted by representatives of the City of Laurel and MDOT.
After winning a regional award, the Laurel S-Curve Reconstruction Project recently became a finalist for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ competition, which is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO),
MDOT reconstructed and realigned a 3,700-foot segment of I-59 through Laurel, Mississippi, eliminating the notorious Laurel S-Curve, which had one of the highest crash rates in the state. The reconstructed segment crosses six local streets and the Norfolk Southern Railroad, requiring a 1,980-foot-long, six-lane bridge, along with a total of 1,350 feet of elevated ramp structures, two on-ramps, and one off-ramp.
“This project has dramatically improved safety and traffic flow through the area,” said MDOT District Six Construction Engineer Red Stringfellow. “The community had input into the project design and it was ultimately delivered under budget, due to a redesign effort to find more cost-effective materials and construction methods.”
As its name indicates, the People’s Choice Award is selected by the public by voting online at www.americastransportationaward.org. Winners of the People’s Choice Award and the Grand National Prize will receive a $10,000 cash prize, to be donated to a charity or scholarship fund chosen by the winning state. Awards will be presented at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, in October.
Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack encourages everyone to show support for this great project by taking the time to vote online in the coming days. Mack said, “I am elated about Laurel being selected as a finalist in the People’s Choice Award and I am asking all friends and residents of Laurel to vote. There is no limit to the number of times you can cast a vote.”
The People’s Choice Rally will feature a presentation by Mayor Mack and MDOT Construction Engineer Red Stringfellow, who was involved in the design and implementation of the S-Curve project. The public is invited to attend the October 8 rally, which will provide information about the People’s Choice Award and feature a number of prize give-aways.
The public is encouraged to vote online as often as possible from now until Monday, October 18.
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