Officials of the Mississippi Dept. of Transportation and others recently marked completion of an improvement project at the accident-prone intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and State Route 553 near Fayette, in Jefferson County. According to the agency, a recent study showed that J-Turns—which reduce the number of conflict points between vehicles —can lower the number of injury crashes by more than 40% and fatal crashes by 70%. “This intersection was one of the most dangerous intersections according to statistics and the number of accidents that occurred here,” said Willie Simmons, a commissioner for the Central Transportation Commission. The $2.7-million contract was executed by G. Rayborn Contracting.

Photo courtesy Adolfson & Peterson Construction

Adolfson & Peterson Construction recently observed the construction midpoint of its Midland College expansion project with a topping-off ceremony of the school’s Pre-K Academy and Center for Teaching Excellence. The 60,000-sq-ft, two-story structure will house an expansion of the college’s prekindergarten academy and its new bachelor-degree program in education. The expansion will increase the college’s current Pre-K Academy partnership with the Midland Independent School District to about 300 seats from 68. “Early childhood education is so important to the future of our world,” said Lucas Hubbard, the contractor’s project executive. “It is rewarding to partner in constructing a high-quality facility that will shape the futures of the educators molding these young minds.” Midland College President Dr. Steve Thomas said that “the Midland College Pre-K Academy and Center for Teaching Excellence addresses two major challenges facing our community—a shortage of quality early childhood opportunities and a shortage of teachers. The building will help address a dire community need for quality pre-K education.” Pictured from left are Adolfson & Peterson employees Ryan Close, Kyle Beardsley, Tony Townley, Lucas Hubbard, Scott Scrutchfield and Bob Lemke.