MDOT projects increase to record high

Thanks to an increase in funding for the Mississippi Department of Transportation and an agency-wide focus on efficiency, the number of projects that were approved to begin construction reached an all-time high in the past fiscal year.
“Additional funds invested in transportation mean that MDOT can accomplish more and better fulfill its mission of providing safe and efficient infrastructure for all who travel in Mississippi,” said Tom King, Chair of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. “We are grateful to Congress, the Mississippi Legislature, and Gov. Tate Reeves for making these projects possible.”
A total of just over $964 million in projects was approved in Fiscal Year 2022. This amount represents an 80% increase over the previous five years and the most that has ever been approved by the agency. Projects to replace and repair bridges, resurface roadways, make safety improvements, and more are taking place across the state.
“I am very proud of the men and women of MDOT,” said Brad White, MDOT executive director. “They, along with our partners in the private sector, are to be commended for their work that continually benefits the people of Mississippi.”
MDOT’s federal funding increased as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided Mississippi with more than $1 billion in additional funding from the Federal Highway Administration over a five-year period.
On the state level, the Mississippi Legislature increased MDOT’s appropriation in the 2022 session by $236 million, which included supplements to MDOT’s maintenance and capacity programs. The Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund was also increased by $100 million. Additionally, the agency receives $80 million in lottery proceeds that have been used to pave hundreds of miles of rural highways around the state.
Infrastructure projects typically take shape over the course of a few years. With additional funding and an unprecedented number of approved projects, the public can expect to see more activity to improve infrastructure taking place throughout the state.
For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.