HINDS COUNTY  — The Mississippi Department of Transportation announced earlier this week it has opened the railroad overpass on Interstate 20 west of Norrell Road in Hinds County.

According to MDOT, the previous bridge had a low sufficiency rating and had become a danger to the traveling public.

 “The old bridge was built in 1953, and its construction had outgrown today’s standards for bridge design and construction with outdated bridge railings and no shoulder for emergencies,” said Commissioner Dick Hall, chairman, Mississippi Transportation Commission. “MDOT addressed the need to replace the bridge and to keep the safety of the traveling public its top priority.”

The new $12 million bridge was constructed to meet today’s standards, including updated railing. The new bridge is also wider, measuring 42 feet wide, compared to the 28-foot width of the old bridge, and features shoulders wide enough to accommodate vehicles needing to exit out of travel lanes for emergencies.

In addition to the new bridge, the roadway was shifted to a new alignment. Crews have started removal of the old bridge and roadway.

“While the new bridge has been opened to traffic, there is still work being performed at the construction site,” Hall said. “We urge the traveling public to use extreme caution when approaching and traveling through this and all other highway work zones.”

Motorists are encouraged to slow down and avoid driving distracted through work zones.

T.L. Wallace Construction Inc. started the bridge replacement project in spring 2015.