Millions for infrastructure projects in Jackson area: Will anything close to you get fixed?
Justin VicoryJackson and surrounding cities now have access to millions of dollars of federal cash for much-needed infrastructure projects. Now it's up to the cities to get to work.
The Jackson Metropolitan Planning Organization on Wednesday approved a total $32.7 million in funding for metro-area transportation projects aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety.
The project area includes Jackson, Ridgeland, Brandon, Pearl, Clinton, Flora, Florence and Rankin and Madison counties.
Some projects require a 20 percent match from municipalities. Those involving public safety, such as traffic signal upgrades, are fully funded.
The funding was made available as part of a bill passed by Congress in 2015, called Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, or FAST.
The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District made the announcement Wednesday.
"This is the largest sum of money we have seen in a long time," CMPDD CEO Mike Monk said.
"Hopefully, Congress will give us more."
A listing of the projects, their costs, and where they are located can be found here.
Jackson infrastructure projects
Just over $13.5 million has been made available for Jackson.
Some projects being considered are bridge replacements on Mill Street and Terry Road and road millage and overlay work on Meadowbrook and Terry roads, Northbrook Drive and State Street. There are also several traffic signal upgrade projects proposed.
Ridgeland infrastructure projects
About $3.38 million is now available for Ridgeland.
Proposed projects include new traffic signals at Highland Colony Parkway and Highway 51 at Lake Harbour Drive, as well as other locations.
Brandon infrastructure projects
Brandon will have access to about $1.48 million in funding.
Projects include traffic signal upgrades at Highway 80 at Eastgate Drive and Municipal Drive and Highway 18 at Louis Wilson Drive, and road millage and overlay work at Burnham, Old Brandon and Shiloh roads and Louis Wilson Drive.
Pearl infrastructure projects
Pearl is looking at $3.32 million in funding. Projects include traffic signal upgrades on Highway 80 at Belvedere and Cross Park drives, road millage and overlay work at Old Whitfield Road and Mississippi 468 to Mississippi 475, and widening South Pearson Road from Richland Creek to Mississippi 468.
Clinton infrastructure projects
Clinton is looking at about $724,000 in funding to help with bridge replacements at Midway and Kickapoo roads.
Infrastructure application process
The CMPDD received 51 applications in total requesting more than $67 million in funding. However, the MPO only has enough funds available to fund the top 31 rated projects. Combined, cities and counties have committed to provide over $11.2 million in local matching funds, according to the CMPDD.
Project applications were graded and evaluated based on the proposed project type:
- Whether the project provided more than the minimum required local matching funds.
- Projects requesting the least amount of federal funding received priority.
- Projects ready to proceed to construction were given priority over projects that may still have design work and/or utility and right-of-way factors to address.
- In addition, projects were evaluated on elements specific to each project category such as pavement condition, daily traffic volume, bridge ratings, or travel time delays.
More:Commission approves $7M in emergency funding for past infrastructure projects
More:Jackson lands 1M grant to overhaul public transportation system
Contact Justin Vicory at 769-572-1418 or jvicory@gannett.com. Follow @justinvicory on Twitter.