RIDGELAND, Miss. (WLBT) – If you’ve driven West Jackson Street lately, you already know the drill: fast-moving traffic, limited sidewalks and not much reason to slow down. But Ridgeland’s mayor says that’s all about to change, and sooner than you might think.
Ridgeland was awarded a $15.6 million federal grant through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to transform West Jackson Street into a safer, more walkable corridor. WLBT first reported on the grant in January. Now, Mayor Gene McGee is giving a clearer picture of what the project looks like and when it starts.
Before the full construction begins, the city is launching a $1.9 million demonstration project this fall, essentially a test run of the planned changes. It will include planters, traffic signals and safety markers designed to squeeze traffic in and slow things down. Some of those elements will be permanent. Others are temporary, giving the city a chance to fine-tune the design before committing to the full build…