A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday morning for the long-awaited Hwy 15 project.  Representatives from the state of Mississippi and Mississippi Department of Transportation met on the ground of New Albany High School to discuss the upcoming construction project and the imminent five-lane highway. 

 

Honorable Bill Minor, MDOT Northern District Transportation Commissioner said, "We first started looking at this project in the mid-90’s and in 2001 we made it the first phase of the Vision 21 project.  Once the grading and erosion permits are cleared, the project will start." 

 

Beginning near King’s Creek and ending near the north city limits of New Albany, a five lane section will be completed and in use at this project’s conclusion.  Beginning near the north city limits of New Albany, grading, drainage and bridge work on the northbound lanes to near North Haven.

 

Mayor Kent said, "We are here to celebrate a day that has been long coming.  We appreciate all of the hard work that has led up to this day.

 

Commissioner Minor said, "This road project started a long time ago and we had run into some problems.  The reason that this road is so viable is because of the amount of trucks coming down the road.  Hwy. 15 is my number one project that we serve because of high traffic count."

 

Minor also said there are plans to develop more in Tippah County.  Hwy. 4 to Faulkner and they plan to purchase property in Ripley and Pontotoc to Kings Creek. 

 

The project is presently scheduled to let a contract from 6 miles south of the Tippah County Line to the Tippah County Line for grading in September of 2010 and then to let a paving contract to complete the section from New Albany to the Tippah County Line in January, 2013.