On Monday, the Mississippi legislature voted to fund nearly $2 billion in state infrastructure projects through the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
MDOT received $1.5 billion earmark-free appropriations as well as a $620 million supplemental appropriation, the department said. The additional funding will be spent on major construction projects, emergency road and bridge repairs, and multimodal projects like ports, railroads, and airports.
“I thank the Mississippi Legislature for providing MDOT consequential funding not seen since the 1987 Highway Bill,” said Brad White, MDOT’s executive director. “An earmark-free appropriation will allow the agency more flexibility to maximize federal funds and make prudent use of taxpayer dollars. Rest assured that with the trust bestowed upon the agency by the Legislature, the men and women of MDOT are up to the task and ready to get to work for the people of the state.”
Included in the supplemental appropriation are $450 million for capacity projects to add lanes and/or build new roads to increase traffic capacity, $100 million for the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund (ERBRF) to revitalize local roads and bridges across the state, $30 million for multimodal projects, and $40 million in federal matching funds.
“This funding will allow for the further revival of the agency’s capacity program—meaning new construction—along with addressing other important needs,” said White. “The resulting projects will improve safety, enhance mobility and boost economic growth and development across Mississippi. I personally thank Governor Tate Reeves, who first cast the vision for this type of investment.”
The department said it had focused on maintenance projects instead of major construction over the past several years for lack of funding. This new funding will allow MDOT to address projects that will increase safety, alleviate congestion and grow the economy, the department said.
Those projects include $43 million to widen and rehabilitate pavement on U.S. 40 in Harrison County, $45 million to align State Route 2 in Tippah County, and $65 million to widen State Route 19 in Neshoba County. Those projects, and others, will significantly improve the state’s infrastructure, the department said.