By Steve Gillespie
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.
