JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Progress is being made on a bridge that sees an average of 16,000 vehicles per day over the Pearl River.

Crews with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) are replacing the beams under the U.S. 80 bridge deck because they were old and rusted. The bridge deck is also being replaced, and new railing will be added.

MDOT closed the bridge in early December.

“They've got about half of the deck removed already right now and half of the beams taken out, and they're just working to get the other half out and then they'll replace all of this,” said Michael Flood, Public Information Officer for MDOT.

Drivers are advised to use Interstate 20, U.S. 49 and State Street to get around the closure. The $6.5 million project is expected to be complete by August 2025.