28/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 29/10/2024 01:47
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $111,432,520 to replace 13 bridges and rehabilitate another and $59,525,044 to support rail projects to improve railroads.
Funding for both the bridge and rail projects stems from the infrastructure bill that Senator Wicker helped negotiate as the then highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Bridge Projects:
Senator Wicker prioritized rural corridors in his letters of support for Bridge Investment Program Grants. The grant program modernizes and enhances infrastructure, bolstering the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges.
Mississippi will benefit from $43,920,000 that will go toward rehabilitating the Coahoma County Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River (Highway 49) from Helena, Arkansas, into Lula, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation received $67,512,520 to replace 13 bridge structures in central Mississippi: five bridges in Newton County constructed in 1929 and 1930, five bridges in Madison County constructed between 1929 and 1939, and three bridges in Lauderdale County constructed in 1928 and 1929.
Senator Wicker statement on the bridge funding:
"Mississippi's economy and people should not be traveling on nearly century-old bridges. This bill provides the investment our state has needed to make the necessary repairs or replacements," Senator Wicker said. "I am pleased that the bill I helped negotiate keeps bringing solutions to Mississippi."
Rail Lines:
Improved rail lines will help deliver freight on time and increase economic development in the state. Senator Wicker has been a strong supporter of these lines, previously writing letters of support for the grants.
Specifically, the funds are dedicated as:
Senator Wicker statement on the rail funding:
"I was glad to support these projects. They will help create jobs, keep freight deliveries on time, and boost economic development. These rail lines will help keep Mississippi moving."