MDOT certifies more than $100M for area infrastructure

Local News

Discussion

March 2, 2009

By Steve Gillespie The Meridian Star Mon Mar 02, 2009, 10:47 PM CST

A lot of orange cones will be popping up soon along roadways in East Central Mississippi as work begins on more that $100 million for infrastructure projects from the federal stimulus package.

Commissioners with the Mississippi Department of Transportation unanimously approved the projects during a special meeting Monday.

Included in the package is $50 million for phase two of the four-lane project to widen Highway 19 from Meridian to Philadelphia. The first phase is under way. The second phase will widen the highway from Lauderdale County to Highway 492. MDOT plans to bid the project later this month.

More than $30 million, which includes some previously earmarked funds, will go toward the Hawkins Crossing project for access to the I-20/59 industrial project. Bids will be taken in May.

Dick Hall, Central District Transportation Commissioner said he is enthusiastic about the projects certified Monday.

"East Central Mississippi absolutely has the lion's share of just over $300 million for the state," Hall said. "This should really stimulate the economy with more than $100 million in construction work over the same period of time."

He said once the infrastructure is in place it will make a huge difference to industrial prospects and will be another selling point in East Central Mississippi to new business.

Other parts of the package for East Central Mississippi includes: $15 million to rebuild Highway 45 from the Kemper County line to Brooksville; $10 million to add two lanes from the I-20/59 split to State Route 19; and $2.7 million for mill and overlay work on State Route 39 from I-20 to 52nd Street (North Hills Street) in Lauderdale County.

A list of the projects to be bid in March and April can be found on the MDOT Web site at www.gomdot.com. Under the listing for business on the home page, click on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The list will be updated later to include those projects to be bid in May and June.

Text Only

Local News

Voters face Saturday deadline
February 10, 2012
Site of sub commissioning changed
February 10, 2012
Dulaneys to reign over 2012 Meridian Mardi Gras Weekend
February 10, 2012
Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.

February 9, 2012
Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot.

February 9, 2012
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday.

February 8, 2012
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits.

February 8, 2012
Team Spirit
February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

MDOT certifies more than $100M for area infrastructure

Site Map

Contact Us