A third lane is coming to Woodrow Wilson Avenue, meaning smoother commutes and less congestion is on the way for motorists.
The city of Jackson recently discussed plans for the street at the one-percent oversight meeting.
Plans are to add a third lane from the I-55 southbound exit to North State Street, a move that will allow motorists to more easily merge onto the roadway.
“It will provide a straight shot to State Street, without them having to move over,” Engineering Manager Charles Williams said.
The additional lane will be located in the median running in front of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center.
It is one of several improvements planned for the busy corridor.
Plans also include extending an existing bike trail from the North State/Woodrow Wilson intersection to Peachtree Street, installing new signalization at the Peachtree intersection and milling and overlaying the street also from I-55 to North State.
“We have regular cyclists who come from Peachtree and a path is getting worn in on the median on the north side of Woodrow Wilson,” Traffic Engineer Robert Lee said. “It’s something we can build on in the long-term.”
New storm drains and gutters are also being added to address drainage issues near the Woodrow Wilson/Peachtree intersection.
Some easements will be required from UMMC. The state will also have to move a major telecomunications line, which is currently in the footprint of the project, Williams said.
The project is one of three being funded with a federal grant awarded through the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District.
City officials estimate the work will cost around $4.3 million.
Jackson received the roughly $2 million grant in 2017. After receiving the grant, the city brought on Michael Baker International to draw up plans.
Initially, public works thought the project would be a simple mill and overlay, but work was expanded to include the additional lane and bike trail per the recommendation of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
MDOT agreed to provide more funding to cover costs. However, city officials did need to ask one-percent commissioners to help fund the design work.
It was not known how much MDOT would provide for the additional improvements.
Michael Baker was originally brought on for $180,500. With the added designs, costs were increased to $295,000.
Commissioners approved the request unanimously,
“We thought it would be a simple mill, overlay, strip it and we’re done,” Williams said. “More things were added to benefit the corridor. It will be a good investment for people coming into the city.”
City officials didn’t say when the project would be bid out for construction.
