An approximately $37.5 million contract has been awarded for a road building and paving project in Harrison County, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

The contract, awarded to Warren Paving of Hattiesburg and Gulfport, involved the State Route 67 project from Interstate 110 to State Route 605 at Three Rivers Road near the Tradition community in Harrison County.

The 10.5 mile project was awarded through an accelerated bid process, which requires the contractor to estimate the amount of time it will take to complete the work. MDOT said the completion date for all phases of work is February 21, 2009.

The project will be completed in several phases with work to begin along the south end of the project between I-110 and Mississippi 15. Traffic is scheduled to be moved off of the old highway between Sangani Boulevard and Mississippi 15 by July 2007 providing for improved drainage in the area.

District engineer Steve Twedt said the project will add a much needed north-south corridor for residents living in Harrison County, providing an additional hurricane evacuation route.

The initial grading phase of this project was completed in August for approximately $16 million.