MEC Blueprint Mississippi Report Calls for $375 Million Annually to Address Mississippi’s Deteriorating Roads and Bridges
January 4, 2016
An investment of an additional $375 million annually is needed to address the most vital road and bridge needs in Mississippi at the state and local level, according to a report released Friday, Dec. 18 by the MEC Blueprint Mississippi Transportation Infrastructure Task Force. MEC also announced the formation of ‘Excelerate Mississippi’, a program designed to support the initiatives outlined by the Blueprint Task Force.
The Blueprint Study determined 80 percent of the new revenue, $300 million, should be dedicated to state-owned bridge and road needs. Counties and municipalities should receive the remaining 20 percent to be split between them, both receiving $37.5 million.
A $375 million annual investment would:
- Enable the replacement of 138 state posted bridges – those that are no longer able to carry the weight and traffic they were designed to carry.
- Provide that all timber bridges would also be replaced.
- Replace another 424 deficient state bridges during the 10-year timeframe.
- Ramp up the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s pavement maintenance across the state.
- Enable local leaders to address the roads and bridges that are in the worst conditions.
For more information about bridges by county or to see the final report visit http://www.exceleratems.com/.
Original story: http://www.msmec.com/home-page-featured-article/mec-blueprint-mississippi-report-calls-for-375-million-annually-to-address-mississippis-deteriorating-roads-and-bridges