GREENVILLE, Miss.–The Greenville bypass is an example of why state roads and bridges need to have a recurring source of money, said Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons. He announced phase II of that once-abandoned project will begin Monday.
“The Dept. of Transportation was getting dollars in and they wanted to invest in the Hwy. 82 bypass,” said Simmons, on MDOT’s “Extra Mile” video podcast Wednesday. “They bought the right-of-way, had bridges built on it, and had to abandon it because they didn’t have monies to take care of that project and other projects.”
That began 20 years ago, said Simmons.
He said he made it a priority once he became a commissioner, though he represents the central part of the state, to get the project going again. Simmons credits the federal government with a $72 million grant to jumpstart the bypass again. The total cost is about $200 million.
“On next Monday the 15th, Tax Day, we’re going to do a groundbreaking for the second phase,” he said. “we’re hoping by the end of 2025, Christmas 2025, citizens will be able to ride on that highway.”
Simmons and Northern District Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell have been pushing the state legislature to find a steady stream of money to fund both projects and maintenance for state highways and bridges.
