The Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) recently announced that it approved funding for more than 20 multimodal projects in Mississippi’s Northern Transportation District.
“The projects these grants are funding will support existing jobs and create new opportunities for the citizens of North Mississippi, while also boosting the local economies,” Commissioner Mike Tagert said.
With MTC approval, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will award grants to various projects throughout north Mississippi for alternative forms of transportation that will help bolster and support the state’s surface transportation system.
“MDOT’s responsibilities include maintaining and improving the state’s highways and interstates, but also focuses on providing a safe intermodal transportation network for airports, ports and waterways, railroads and public transit,” Tagert said. “Each of these modes of transportation plays a vital role in transporting people, goods and services that promote economic growth and development throughout Mississippi.”
Tagert said that the public transit improvements, in particular, will be crucial in assisting citizens’ day-to-day activities.
“Mississippi’s public transit systems play an instrumental role in providing affordable, reliable mobility options to citizens who do not own a vehicle or cannot drive. Helping these providers allows them to connect people to life’s basic needs, such as family and community events, medical appointments and grocery shopping,” Tagert said.
Among the largest projects for regional airports in North Mississippi was a $348,990 grant to construct a 10-unit T-Hangar at the Tunica Municipal Airport and a $230,901 grant to improve the fuel facility at the Corinth-Alcorn County Airport.
The largest port project receiving funding was the Yellow Creek Port in Iuka. It will receive a $691,310 to purchase equipment for the Northeast Mississippi Waterfront Industrial Park.
In addition, a number of railroad improvement projects will be funded, including a $319,902 grant for the Mississippi Delta Railroad in Clarksdale and a $311,850 grant for the Itawamba Rail Authority in Fulton.