The Laurel, Mississippi I-59 S-curve reconstruction project has been awarded the national People's Choice Award through the America's Transportation Award competition. The award is co-sponsored by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber.
“Thank you to all who voted, and a special thank you to the men and women who were on the front lines of this project, guiding it through a long development process to successful completion,” said Larry L. “Butch” Brown, MDOT Executive Director and former President of AASHTO. MDOT retained Garver in the early 1990s to design an S-curve route improvement, and after finishing the original design, the project was placed on hold. MDOT again selected Garver in 2005 to redesign the structure with additional economical options, and Garver provided services on a fast-track schedule.
The People's Choice Award is voter-based and recognizes the best nationwide project. More than 270,000 online votes were cast. In September, the S-curve project won a regional America's Transportation Award in the Under Budget category, which honored the project's $6 million surplus. The S-curve project was one of ten winners that scored the highest during regional contests.
"These projects are making travel smoother, safer, and less congested for millions of motorists every day," said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. "We know that taxpayers understand the value of quality transportation, and this contest shows how states are investing their limited resources wisely."
Garver designed the project for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The S-curve project involved realigning a dangerous interstate curve with a new 1,980-foot, six-lane, elevated bridge and three elevated ramps. Garver provided roadway and bridge design, comprehensive construction plans and phasing, traffic signalization, overhead and under-structure lighting, and signage. Garver is now providing services to widen and overlay an additional 2-mile stretch of I-59 immediately north of the S-curve.
