Natchez-Adams County boards applying for more Morgantown Road funds

NATCHEZ, Miss. – City and county officials are reviving their pursuit of state funds for upgrading Natchez-Adams County’s Morgantown Road, which some consider the area’s most dangerous in need of rebuilding.

While the U.S. Congress allocated $2.4 million in March, another $2 million or more is needed, according to estimates provided to the Adams County Board of Supervisors.

The county board and Natchez Board of Aldermen have voted to apply for a grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, which has a program funded by the state Legislature for emergency road and bridge repairs.

City and county officials have struggled for years to find funds to repave and widen the treacherous, flood-prone road that traverses from north Natchez out into the county.

In their meeting Monday, Adams County board members pointed to frustrations constituents have expressed to them about the busy thoroughfare. District 5 Supervisor Warren Gaines said he wants to “reassure the people we are looking at avenues to make sure we get Morgantown Road done.”

Many churches, homes, apartment buildings and a school are located along this stretch of road.

The Mississippi Legislature last month allocated $100 million statewide for the emergency road-bridge fund, which since 2018 has received a total of $440 million – partly stocked by federal funds Congress has given states to help recover from the economic impact of the COVID pandemic, according to MDOT.

Cities and counties have a May 8 deadline to apply for the funds, which do have a requirement for local governments to fund part of the specified road-and-bridge projects with their own money, said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.

Adams County supervisors on Monday also voted to seek emergency funds for rehabilitating a bridge on York Road in southwest Adams County near the St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Meeting last week, the city board voted to also seek funds to rebuild the Old Providence Road bridge in south Natchez near River Terminal Road in addition to the money for Morgantown Road.

When Congress appropriated $2.4 million for Morgantown Road in March, local officials enthusiastically greeted it as a major step for getting the project in the works. However, with a total cost estimated now to be about $4 million, they’ve since been trying to figure ways for more money. “We need to go on and get this project started,” said District 4 Supervisor Ricky Gray.

Adams County supervisors on Monday also discussed the need to decide what to do with millions of dollars the county has directly received from the American Rescue Plan that Congress passed last year. About $6 million was allocated to Adams County. Board attorney Scott Slover suggested supervisors develop “a comprehensive plan on how we can spend this money.” Gray said a public hearing is needed to outline how the money could be spent and to get feedback from Adams County residents.