DeSoto County Approves Four-Year Road Plan

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The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has approved an updated four-year road plan that prioritizes widening state highways like Highway 305 and Highway 51 over ambitious interstate expansion projects on Interstate 55. While the plan still includes the I-55 widening, county officials acknowledged that securing federal funding for the interstate work is "wishful thinking" and instead want to focus on state-funded projects that can yield faster results.

Why it matters

DeSoto County is one of the fastest-growing areas in Mississippi, leading to chronic congestion issues on its major highways. The new road plan aims to address these problems by targeting state-controlled routes that serve as critical release valves for the county's booming population, rather than relying solely on uncertain federal funding for the interstate.

The details

The approved plan includes widening I-55 to up to 10 lanes in certain sections, as well as new roundabouts and intersection improvements on state highways. County officials shifted the focus toward securing state funding for widening state Highway 305 and U.S. Highway 51, labeling the current interstate funding as "wishful thinking." The plan also addresses issues like narrow bridges struggling to accommodate 18-wheelers and a proposed roundabout at Green Tea Road to manage heavy truck traffic.

• The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors approved the updated four-year road plan on Tuesday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The approved four-year road plan will now serve as DeSoto County's primary lobbying tool to secure state and federal funding for the identified infrastructure projects.