Highway Trust Fund inaction would cost Mississippi jobs, long-term road and bridge projects

Updated Mar 24, 2015
A Mississippi welcome sign near in Vicksburg. Credit: TravelingOtter/FlickrA Mississippi welcome sign near in Vicksburg. Credit: TravelingOtter/Flickr

As part of a growing list of fallout amid uncertainty about the Highway Trust Fund, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) says it will have to shift its focus to “system preservation” rather than new highway and bridge projects if Congress does not take action.

“If Congress doesn’t address long-term infrastructure needs, our transportation network is going to continue to deteriorate,” said MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath. “This delay is not only halting progress, but it will eventually create safety hazards for the traveling public.”

MDOT reports that it gets $432 million in federal highway funding, with $90 million going to municipalities/local governments. Federal transit funding provides $27.6 million to the state, and 6,500 jobs rely on transportation.

“Mississippi is at risk of losing a great deal if the Highway Trust Fund is depleted, and our transportation network is going to continue to deteriorate,” McGrath said. “The state’s construction industry will lose experienced, trained workers without funding for work and jobs.”