The Mississippi Department of Transportation is trying to determine an additional funding source for the widening of I-55 between Madison and Gluckstadt and the construction of entrance and exit ramps that will connect with the Reunion Parkway bridge.
The Legislature allocated $150 million in highway capacity funds for the I-55 project but more is needed to complete the job.
“We’re hopeful to piece together enough to make up the difference,” said Brad White, executive director of MDOT.
Funding could come from MDOT’s various sources of income such as the lottery tax, fuel fund and fees on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicles.
“Any additional funds would have to come from within these buckets,” White said. “But, much of these funds are obligated to projects years in advance.”
Taking funding from the special funds such as those generated by the lottery tax or hybrid vehicle fees would have to be considered carefully so that other projects are not delayed, he said.
The pre-planning work required for the project has been done, but construction can’t begin without the full amount of funding in place. “The Federal Highway Administration requires us to either show that we have the money up front or we have the ability to cash-flow the project up front,” White said.
White said he hopes the additional funding source will be determined before the new fiscal year starts July 1.
“We definitely don’t want to wait for another legislative session (for the rest of the funding),” he said.
To take politics out of funding, MDOT provides the Legislature with a list of the most needed road projects in the state, and the I-55 project topped the list, said Sen. Walter Michel (District 25-Hinds and Madison).
The Legislature provided money for the widening of I-55 in DeSoto County and the widening of Highway 7 in Lafayette County, and the I-55 widening between Madison and Gluckstadt moved to the top of the list.
By prioritizing the needs, MDOT can do some of the pre-planning, design work and get information about utility relocations and rights-of-way, Michel said. The engineering and design has already been completed on the I-55 widening project.
The stretch of I-55 between Madison and Gluckstadt is well traveled, according to the Department of Transportation, which estimates its use at an average of 69,000 vehicles. During the last decade, the Gluckstadt area has seen significant growth, resulting in traffic delays many mornings for travelers on I-55.
While additional funds remain to be determined for the project, drivers along I-55 who are nearing the Gluckstadt exit and taking the exit find themselves in the dark after the sun goes down.
The lights are set to be replaced as part of the project to widen I-55 from four to six lanes between Mississippi 463 and Gluckstadt Road and that’s why they have not been repaired, said Gluckstadt Mayor Walter Morrison.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation installed the lights and Gluckstadt maintains them, he said.
White wants not only to move the I-55 widening project ahead but also the project to widen Highway 25 from Castlewoods Boulevard to Highway 471. Both projects are estimated to cost a total of $300 million.
“It is my goal to find a path to move both projects while they are ready and before the cost of construction rises, if at all possible, he said.
