U.S. Congress expected to OK key interchange

By By Buddy Bynum / editor
Feb. 14, 2003
Funding for construction of a direct link between Interstate 20/59 and Meridian's newest industrial park was included in an omnibus appropriations bill approved Thursday by U.S. House and Senate conferees.
The multibillion-dollar bill would provide $4.5 million for a new interchange connecting the interstate with the I 20/59 industrial park, known informally locally as the Malone Ranch property. Federal funding for the interchange had been sought as essential to attracting tenants to the park, whose development is being managed by the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.
The funding announcement was made by U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a Senate conferee on the bill, U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss.
They noted that the local project was part of a broad array of programs and projects in Mississippi that will get federal funding.
Lott said the "projects compose the foundation for a better quality of life and new jobs in our state. These initiatives will have a far-reaching impact on our communities for years to come."
Funding for the Meridian interchange was greeted as good news by local officials.
Officials said engineering work on the new interchange just east of Meridian is nearing completion. Plans call for the interchange to be located in the Hawkins Crossing vicinity, which could put it about midway between existing I 20/59 interchanges at Highway 19 South and Highway 45 North.
The conference report is expected to be approved by the House and Senate and signed by President Bush.