News

Efforts to raise money for Mississippi road repairs needs business support

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — It’s not like 1987, at least not yet.

Efforts to raise money to repair and build highways just don’t have the broad push that lifted a major highway program to passage in the Legislature a generation ago.

Leaders of the Mississippi Department of Transportation and their allies in the Legislature continue to make the case that they need hundreds of millions of dollars per year to repave roads and fix bridges, as well as keep building new ones.

But they don’t seem to gaining much traction with the broader business and civic leadership in the state… […]

News

Leader of road study group proposes $700M in taxes

The leader of a Senate transportation study committee proposes the state should levy $700 million in new taxes to support road maintenance as well as some other non-transportation related projects.

Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said the proposal, which would be the largest state tax increase in more than 20 years, is only a starting point for discussion, and invited alternate proposals.

But some members of his committee quickly indicated they aren’t interested in that much spending, and may oppose any new taxes, especially the $150 million a year that Simmons proposed for university, community college, state agency and local water and sewer construction. Simmons admitted those extra items were “stretching it.” […]

News

MDOT seizes $500k in drugs from truck at weigh station

Enforcement officers with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) stopped an 18-wheeler for a routine weight and safety check and discovered at least 500 pounds of marijuana.

MDOT officials said the incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 12. The officers stopped a 1999 Freightliner tractor and van trailer at the eastbound I-59 Lauderdale inspection facility, for a routine weight, safety and paperwork inspection.
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News

Large convoy to move across the state Thursday

From The Mississippi Link Newswire JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) would like to announce the following traffic alert to motorists traveling in the state of Mississippi. On Thursday, June 21, Burkhalter Rigging […]