Sonya McNair

The Commission addressed various operational and administrative matters including pre-construction, rail operations, intermodal planning, information systems, human resources, and legal affairs. An item was omitted from the agenda regarding rail operations. Additionally, the commission approved the appointment of a new Deputy Executive Director for Administration for the Mississippi Department of Transportation effective July 1, 2026, and authorized the termination of a contract regarding the maintenance of streetlights with the city of Vicksburg.

The commission addressed various business items including the authorization of multiple work assignments for roadway design, bridge services, and environmental assessment projects across several counties. Key actions involved approving construction engineering and inspection services, executing cooperative agreements for water resources investigations, managing property and easement conveyances, and authorizing federal transit program grants. Additionally, the commission approved budget revisions, procurement of administrative services including paper shredding and recycling, and reviewed accounts payable and payroll dockets.

The meeting included prayers for deceased community members and staff, and a review of various agenda items including pre-construction projects, field operations, and administrative services. A specific construction project involving a mill and overlay on Highway 59 in Jasper County was removed from the agenda for a scope adjustment, with the staff recommending a fog seal instead to serve as a cost-effective pavement preservation treatment. Commissioners also expressed appreciation for the completion of a welcome center project.

The meeting included discussions on various transportation projects and administrative actions. Key topics included a bid withdrawal request by a construction firm, the ratification of grant agreements with the Federal Highway Administration, and authorizations for engineering services, roadway improvements, and bridge replacements across several counties. The Commission also addressed lighting and sidewalk safety projects, updates on infrastructure construction, utility agreements, and the management of federal aid funds for aeronautics and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The commission addressed numerous agenda items related to transportation infrastructure, including the authorization of engineering services, bridge and roadway improvements, and the approval of various work assignments and master contracts. Key discussions included lighting improvements on major interstates, environmental assessments for roadway extensions, and the adoption of the statewide long-range transportation plan. Additionally, the board approved an amendment to the three-year plan for passing lanes and authorized the execution of various memorandums of understanding regarding grant funding, inmate labor programs, and equipment disposal. The meeting also addressed accounts payable and procurement of specialized analysis software.