Lane closures to continue on I-22 this summer

Drivers on I-22, in particular those between Holly Springs and Olive Branch who have been stuck in morning or afternoon one-lane slowdowns, can expect those tieups to continue through the summer, according to a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Construction crews are in the next phase of a 30-mile safety enhancement project on the interstate with the installation of median cable barriers. The project is now moving toward a scheduled completion this fall.

The work stretches across Marshall County, and aims to significantly reduce the risk of cross-median collisions on the high-speed corridor connecting Memphis and Birmingham, Alabama.

Contractors are currently finishing essential earthwork and transitioning to the installation of cable barrier pads. These concrete pads serve as the foundation for the high-tension steel cables designed to catch and redirect vehicles that veer off the roadway.

“This infrastructure acts as a critical safety net,” said MDOT spokesman David Kenney on Tuesday, May 12. “By installing these barriers over a 30-mile span, we are addressing one of the most dangerous types of accidents-- the head-on crossover.”

Motorists should anticipate continued traffic impacts through the summer months. Lane closures are expected to persist, particularly in the left passing lanes, to provide a buffer for crews working in the median.

Travelers are urged to exercise caution and remain alert for workers. Speed limits are reduced in active work zones, and fines are doubled for violations.

The project remains on track for a fall 2026 completion, weather permitting. Real-time traffic updates and camera feeds for the Holly Springs stretch of I-22 are available via the MDOT Traffic mobile app.

Ste-Bil Grading of Waterford is the contractor for the project. The project value is approximately $14.1 million, as part of a broader safety initiative for the I-22 corridor.