Key Points
- Expansion Priorities: The plan highlights the widening of Interstate 55 to as many as 10 lanes in certain sections to alleviate chronic congestion.
- State Aid Focus: County officials shifted the focus toward securing state funding for widening state Highway 305 and U.S. Highway 51, labeling the current interstate funding as “wishful thinking.”
- Safety Infrastructure: The approved plan includes new roundabouts and intersection improvements, including a proposed roundabout at Green Tea Road to manage heavy truck traffic.
HERNANDO, Miss. — The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors moved to solidify its infrastructure vision Tuesday, approving an updated four-year road plan that balances ambitious interstate expansions with a pragmatic push for state-level arterial funding.
Presented by County Road Manager Robert Jarman, the document serves as the county’s official “wish list” for transportation improvements. While the plan outlines a massive transformation of Interstate 55, supervisors spent much of the session pivoting toward more immediate needs on state highways that serve as critical release valves for the county’s booming population.
“It’s good to have it on there and be updated on it,” it was noted regarding the interstate projects, though the consensus among the board was that federal funding for I-55 remains elusive. Instead, the board voted to elevate state Highway 305—specifically from Church Road to I-269—and U.S. Highway 51 to top-priority status to better position the county for state aid.
Interstate 55: The 10-Lane Vision
Much of the initial discussion focused on the scope of the I-55 widening project. While initial documents suggested an expansion from four to eight lanes, updated information shared during the meeting indicated that the current long-term plan envisions 10 lanes extending all the way to I-269, before condensing to six lanes toward Commerce Street in Hernando…