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November 25, 2024 MDOT reaches new record high in project investment
JACKSON, MISS. – Thanks to an increase in funding for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and an agency-wide focus on efficiency, the investment in projects that were approved to begin construction reached an all-time high in the past fiscal year, shattering the previous record set in FY22 by more than $255 million. “When these funds are invested in transportation, MDOT can accomplish more and better fulfill its mission of providing safe and efficient infrastructure for all who travel in Mississippi,” said Willie Simmons, Chair of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. “We are grateful to Congress, the Federal Highway Administration, the Mississippi Legislature and Gov. Tate Reeves for making these projects possible.” A total of just over $1.2 billion in projects was approved in Fiscal Year 2024. This amount represents an 89 percent increase over the average of the previous 5 years and the most ever approved by the agency. These projects will replace and repair bridges, resurface roadways, make safety improvements and more across the entire state. “I am endlessly thankful for the men and women at MDOT,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “They, along with our partners in the private sector, deserve to be commended for their commitment to making Mississippi’s transportation system run as safely and efficiently as possible.” In 2022, 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. Additionally, directed funds made possible by Mississippi’s congressional delegation plus grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) helped put MDOT’s project funding over the top. On the state level, the Mississippi Legislature increased MDOT’s appropriation in the 2024 session by $627 million, which included supplements to MDOT’s capacity and maintenance programs. $100 million was also allocated to the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund. Additionally, MDOT receives $80 million from the Mississippi Lottery every year, which is used to pave hundreds of miles of rural highways across Mississippi. Infrastructure projects can take several years to plan and construct. With this additional funding and an unprecedented number of approved projects, the public can expect to see more activity to improve infrastructure throughout the state. |