After much back and forth, Supervisors have officially decided on what roads to utilize the funds on for road maintenance. But, if you’re wondering if your road is on the list, you’ll have to wait until the next board meeting when they officially approve the list.
The next step once the official list is approved is to run their project in the newspaper and bid it out.
Supervisor Chris McIntire came up with funding in a formula used by the county for all road maintenance to divide out what roads would be chosen this year. With the use tax money, and the State Aid funding the county will have $3 million in funds to use. McIntire figured that over $2 million of that would be used for road maintenance and the remainder could go toward other road projects each Supervisor wanted to do. The list would also include the industrial access roads – PCA Road and East Hunt Road.
“I wish they’d put a turning lane there as well, but that’s for MDOT to do,” Supervisor Joey Stephenson said. “There’s been many a wreck there.”
“How did you figure which roads to eliminate, because I got to have Blythe Creek Road in there that road is all torn to pieces,” Supervisor Greg Fondren asked. McIntire responded that he tried to go with what was fair for them all.
Each Supervisor is having the same issue, some more than others. Because of loggers and the amount of their loads, it’s subsequently causing a lot of damage to the roads in the county.
Another road that’s been in question is Weir-McCool Road. Supervisor John Shumaker asked if the road is known as Highway 407, why is it not a state road?
“Attala County had the same problem when they were repairing the bridge over Tibby Creek on the road after that accident,” County Engineer Marty Crowder said. “They had to go through legislation just to have state aid funds used on that road. That may be what may have to happen here, too.”
He said originally the road was supposed to be Highway 12, but the Mississippi Department of Transportation scraped the idea. But, the road is still considered a state highway, but MDOT says it’s not their road.
“Since I’ve been paying attention, even as a teenager, there’s never been any money spent on that road,” Crowder said. “But, it’s held up well over the years.”
“From Harvey Black to McCool, it’s fine. It’s the top of the road that’s the issue,” Shumaker said.
With the formula in place, each Supervisor with the exception of Supervisor Rodney Bowman, would receive $300,000 and Bowman would receive just under $300,000.
That money could go toward summer road maintenance as well. Supervisors may also receive funding from the legislature to be used towards road work.
The question was also brought up of Quinn Street.
Crowder said that he’s heard it’s in the works. Supervisor Rodney Bowman said he’s been in talks with Ackerman mayor Dale Reid and the two are in agreement to split the work for the road, upon the approval of the Ackerman Board of Aldermen.
“They meet this week, but he’s confident the board would be in agreement,” Bowman said. Quinn Street is the street behind the new Charger Stadium and will be utilized as an exit when football season begins.
