MDOT; require to prioritize planning/completion of the U.S. Highway 25 four-lane bypass in Monroe County.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how MDOT will prioritize other projects if this bypass becomes a top priority.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Prioritizes U.S. Highway 25 Bypass

This act requires the Mississippi Department of Transportation to prioritize planning and completing a four-lane bypass for U.S. Highway 25 in Monroe County, including reporting on project status and funding options.

What This Bill Does

• Requires MDOT to identify the completion of the U.S. Highway 25 four-lane bypass in Monroe County as a priority transportation project due to its significance for traffic safety, freight mobility, and economic development.
• Directs MDOT to conduct or update all necessary planning, engineering, and feasibility assessments related to the completion of the bypass, including projected costs, right-of-way needs, and construction phasing.
• Instructs MDOT to evaluate available state and federal funding sources and develop a proposed funding strategy to advance completion of the project.
• Requires MDOT to submit a written report detailing the status of the project, anticipated timelines, estimated costs, and recommended funding options by December 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
• Residents and businesses in Monroe County

Terms To Know

Right-of-way

The legal right to use a piece of land for construction or maintenance, such as roads.

Feasibility assessment

An evaluation that determines whether a project can be successfully completed within budget and time constraints.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass during the session.
• It does not specify how MDOT will prioritize other projects if this bypass becomes a top priority.

Official Summary Text

MDOT; require to prioritize planning/completion of the U.S. Highway 25 four-lane bypass in Monroe County.

Current Bill Text

H. B. No. 1538 *HR43/R2059* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R2059
PAGE 1 (BS\KP)

To: Transportation
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Crosby

HOUSE BILL NO. 1538

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1
TO PRIORITIZE PLANNING AND COMPLETION OF THE UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 2
25 FOUR-LANE BYPASS IN MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO REQUIRE 3
REPORTING ON PROJECT STATUS, COST ESTIMATES, AND FUNDING OPTIONS; 4
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. The Mississippi Department of Transportation 7
(MDOT) shall identify the completion of the United States Highway 8
25 four-lane bypass in Monroe County, Mississippi, as a priority 9
transportation project due to its significance for traffic safety, 10
freight mobility, and economic development. 11
SECTION 2. The MDOT shall conduct or update all necessary 12
planning, engineering, and feasibility assessments related to the 13
completion of the bypass, including projected costs, right-of-way 14
needs, and construction phasing. 15
SECTION 3. The MDOT shall evaluate available state and 16
federal funding sources, including discretionary federal 17
transportation grants, and develop a proposed funding strategy to 18
advance completion of the project. 19
H. B. No. 1538 *HR43/R2059* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2059
PAGE 2 (BS\KP)
ST: MDOT; require to prioritize
planning/completion of the U.S. Highway 25 four-
lane bypass in Monroe County.
SECTION 4. The MDOT shall submit a written report detailing 20
the status of the project, anticipated timelines, estimated costs, 21
and recommended funding options to the Chairmen of the House and 22
Senate Transportation Committees no later than December 1, 2026. 23
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from 24
and after July 1, 2026. 25