Starkville, Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University are proceeding with a Mississippi Department of Transportation grant application that could provide bike and pedestrian trails from a key transportation hub to one of campus’ southern doorways.
The proposed $926,342 project would add a two-way, 10-foot-wide bike path and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along Locksley Way, from its intersection with South Montgomery Street, to Blackjack Road. The path would continue along Blackjack Road to Stone Boulevard, a major entrance to the southern portion of MSU’s campus.
Officials hailed the potential improvements as a way to connect campus with major student housing areas along Locksley Way and Lynn Lane pedestrian improvements, which turned dirt last year.
If awarded, the MDOT Transportation Alternative Program grant would cover 80 percent of total costs — roughly $741,000 — while the city, county and university would equally split the remaining $185,268 over the next two fiscal years.
About $30,878 would come from each entity annually, according to statistics provided by District 4 Supervisor and project advocate Bricklee Miller.
Aldermen and supervisors unanimously approved future maintenance agreements Tuesday and authorized the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to move forward with the grant application.
Agreements by the city and county each pledge $936 toward annual maintenance.
The application is due Tuesday, and officials say the award notice should come by late April.
“Because of the cost-sharing partnership, the return on investment is $12 for every $1 invested per entity,” Miller said. “I feel certain the county would not have been able to pursue the TAP grant opportunity without the penitential partnership with MSU and the city of Starkville. From the initial meeting of the board of supervisors, the process has been about teamwork. I am very grateful to the individuals that volunteered time and expertise so the information could be gathered for this application.”
Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard highlighted the city’s ongoing sidewalk projects Tuesday and said Starkville has made significant strides in terms of connectivity. The proposed project, he said, represents another move in the right direction.
“I know the mantra from three years ago from some folks was ‘Sidewalks to nowhere,’ but I think this and the previous board addressed a lot of that,” he said. “Assuming it’s completed and awarded, we’ll have access from Industrial Park Road and McKee Park all the way to campus. That’s significant connectivity.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.