One hundred and forty five million dollars in funding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation will be used to construct a new split diamond interchange and frontage roads in Madison County. Connector roads will also be constructed in both the cities of Madison and Ridgeland. The connector roads will aid in the flow of traffic.

The funding is provided through MDOT’s Highway Enhancements through Local Partnerships Bond Program (H.E.L.P.).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has signed an agreement with MDOT to reimburse the department for approximately 85 percent of the debt service on the bonds for Madison County.

According to Kimbler Sloan of MDOT’s Outreach Division, the project consists of a specific area.

“This project will consist of a split diamond interchange, frontage road and connector roads which together will provide additional capacity to U.S. I-55 from Old Agency Road to Highway 463, along with the connector road at Madison Avenue in Madison, from Highland Colony Parkway to U.S. 51 and Highway 463 from Grandview Boulevard /Galleria Parkway to U.S. 51, and constructing a multi-lane McClellan Drive in Ridgeland from Highland Colony Parkway to U.S. 51.”

To receive this funding, cities or counties issue debt for the MDOT projects.

MDOT in turn pays the debt services. “This means that the county or city will purchase the bonds for MDOT to perform the agreed upon work and MDOT will then pay back the debt. This accelerates construction on needed projects and fixes the cost of projects to today’s dollars,” said Sloan.

MDOT’s H.E.L.P. program is an innovative financing program. It is authorized by state statute which allows MDOT to enter into cooperative agreements with cities or counties to accelerate the completion date of a scheduled highway construction project, according to a press release.

“The statute allows a city or county to advance to MDOT the cost of a highway construction project which is repaid by MDOT.”

The Mississippi Development Bank, in cooperation with Madison County, issues the bonds. MDOT will pay the debt service on the bonds because of an interlocal agreement with the county.