GREENVILLE, Miss.–Broadband may be the next big project for the Mississippi Delta, said Congressman Bennie Thompson, at Monday’s groundbreaking for phase II of the Hwy. 82 bypass project.
Most of you understand that with that broadband there will be other opportunities,” he said.
While there was plenty of backslapping and congratulatory gestures, including an award for voting for federal transportation bills, which included some of the money to help finish the Hwy. 82 project, Thompson took a couple of jabs at his Republican colleagues from Mississippi, who did not vote for the bills.
“It’s easy for me to vote for it. I wish some of my other colleagues would vote for it. It’s not a partisan issue,” he said.
The 82 bypass was partially constructed, then lay dormant since 2012, when funding ran out. When completed, it will run from Leland to Hwy. 1, allowing a total bypass of most of Greenville. The expected completion date is fall 2025, thanks to the same construction company being awarded both phases of the project.
