RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – The newly opened West Rankin Parkway provides a scenic shortcut between Flowood and Pearl during daylight hours, but the unlit roadway becomes pitch black at night, raising safety concerns among residents.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation built the roadway but says lighting falls outside its maintenance responsibilities. MDOT handles curb-to-curb maintenance while municipalities must address lighting and other improvements beyond the roadway itself.
“MDOT although we built the road, now that it is completed, is in charge of maintenance of the road, in other words, curb to curb would be MDOT’s responsibility to maintain,” said Michael Flood, MDOT public information officer. “Any lighting or maintenance outside of the curb, whether that be mowing or draining, tree clearing that kind of thing, would need to come from the local entity.”
Residents voice safety concerns
Local residents say the lack of lighting creates hazards for both drivers and wildlife…