MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Burton, Dickerson, Thames, Jackson, Farris, Little

A RESOLUTION URGING MISSISSIPPI'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO AUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND INTERSTATE 85 TO CONNECT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, AND MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby is introducing legislation to authorize the Federal Highway Administration to extend Interstate 85 to connect Montgomery, Alabama, and Meridian, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this is a matter of urgent interest to business, industry, residents, tourists, and the general economy of East Central Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Transportation is being requested to conduct an impact study of this project with emphasis on feasibility and economic effect; and

WHEREAS, it should be self-evident that an improved transportation infrastructure benefits economic development and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, this proposed highway construction is a natural extension of the federally-funded transportation hub in downtown Meridian, Mississippi, which has been formally announced by the federal officials and is underway at this time; and

WHEREAS, this project will advance the economic development of Central Mississippi as the Crossroads of the Deep South:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby urge Mississippi's Congressional Delegation to authorize the construction and extension of Interstate 85 to connect Montgomery, Alabama, and Meridian, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State shall forward certified copies of this resolution to each member of Mississippi's Congressional Delegation and the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, and that this resolution be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.