Jackson Unveils $40M Plan to Repave 450 Streets

Residents demand faster fixes as potholes and safety issues persist

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:37am

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A photorealistic painting of a large pothole in the middle of a city street, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the cracked pavement.A pothole-riddled street in Jackson, Mississippi highlights the urgent need for comprehensive road repairs across the city.Jackson Today

The city of Jackson, Mississippi has announced an ambitious plan to repave 450 streets by 2027, backed by a $40 million bond and a 1% sales tax. While many residents welcome the initiative, some say the repairs are long overdue and that additional safety measures are needed beyond just repaving.

Why it matters

Jackson's roads have deteriorated significantly, with residents forced to navigate dangerous potholes and hazards on a daily basis. This major infrastructure project aims to address the city's crumbling streets, but residents are pushing for an even faster timeline and additional safety improvements.

The details

The city has already identified dozens of streets for repaving, with about 80 included on an initial list. Residents point to particularly rough patches that have gone unrepaired for years, and say the work should extend beyond just neighborhood streets to major thoroughfares as well. City leaders say the repaving will be done in phases through next year, though an exact start date is still to be determined.

  • The $40 million bond and 1% sales tax funding were recently approved to support the road repair initiative.
  • City officials aim to begin the repaving work either this year or next, with the full 450-street project slated for completion by 2027.

The players

John Horhn

The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi who has announced the $40 million road repair plan.

Jacob Byas

A Jackson homeowner who supports the road repair initiative but says more work is needed, particularly on major streets like Main Street.

Emmanuel Coleman

A Jackson resident who says potholes and safety issues on his street have gone unaddressed for years.

Kevin Parkinson

The Ward 7 city councilman in Jackson who underscored the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.

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What they’re saying

“I agree with the mayor 100% that we need these streets repaired.”

— Jacob Byas, Jackson Homeowner

“There is a bunch of potholes at the end of the street, and it's been like that for about three years now nobody has even fixed it.”

— Emmanuel Coleman, Jackson Resident

“I would love for them to repay it and also, they need to put speed blocks on the street because people come up and down the street like as a race track.”

— Emmanuel Coleman, Jackson Resident

“You need to do some in neighborhoods and someone on Main Street.”

— Jacob Byas, Jackson Homeowner

“There is an urgent need for more to be done regarding basic infrastructure like road repair. The entire city government is committed sourcing, securing, and utilizing all available funds - including through bonds and in partnership with groups such as the 1% sales commission - to get our streets repaired.”

— Kevin Parkinson, Ward 7 City Councilman

What’s next

City officials say the repaving work will be carried out in phases through next year, though an exact start date has not yet been confirmed. The goal is to begin the project either this year or next.

The takeaway

This major infrastructure initiative highlights the urgent need to address Jackson's crumbling roads, which have become a daily frustration for residents. While the $40 million plan is welcomed, some say the repairs are long overdue and that additional safety measures beyond just repaving are required to make the city's streets truly safe and drivable.