MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Ross

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 65-1-171, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO UTILIZE STATE FUNDS TO MATCH ALL FEDERAL FUNDS UTILIZED IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD AND BRIDGE ACROSS THE PEARL RIVER TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE MATCHING FUNDS FOR SUCH PROJECT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 65-1-171, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-1-171. (1) Pursuant to federal appropriations for transportation system improvements, the Mississippi Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to construct a road and bridge along the following route: Begin at or near North State Street in the City of Jackson's central business district and extend in an easterly direction across the Pearl River to Mississippi 475 at or near the entrance to the Jackson International Airport, for a total distance of approximately 4.6 miles. Final roadway alignment will be determined by a feasibility study.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall utilize only monies made available to it from the boards of supervisors and the governing authorities of the counties and municipalities within which such project is located to defray the cost of the project; however, the department shall utilize state funds to match any federal funds which are specially provided for preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction for the connections between I-55 and Mississippi 475 at or near the entrance to the Jackson International Airport, in addition to those federal funds with obligational authority as are regularly apportioned and appropriated to the State of Mississippi for highway purposes. The department shall utilize state funds to match any other federal funds that are used to pay the costs of the project. Accessory improvements shall be made to local streets to accommodate traffic generated by the project. All improvements shall conform to congressional appropriations enacted for planning and construction of the project.

(3) The Legislature shall appropriate to the Mississippi Department of Transportation the amounts necessary to provide funds to match any federal funds which are used to pay the costs of the project.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.