Some Leflore County citizens have concerns about a proposed road that would connect U.S. 49 and Mississippi 7.
At an environmental assessment meeting held Monday evening, three routes, all north of Greenwood, were proposed.The middle of the three was chosen as less likely to have a large impact.
“The route crosses a lot of different people and a lot of different property,” County Engineer Robert Willis said. “If you go up or down, it just affects someone else. This is what we feel is the best choice.”
Advocates of the connector project say it would boost economic development by supporting Viking Range manufacturing operations.
XOther selling points mentioned have included increased accessibility to major roadways and improved safety.
The preferred path for the connector, labeled “Alternative D” by Willis Engineering, is not finalized. Citizens were asked to submit comments to be reviewed for possible alternatives.
Hal Fiore of Greenwood said he opposes the methods used to plan the road.
“You’ve just drawn lines with no sense of the effect it will have on the ground,” Fiore told representatives at the meeting.
Willis assured the crowd that it was not too late to change the proposed road.
“If something is significant enough it needs to be changed, it will be changed,” Willis responded.
Fiore said he wrote the planners with a request to meet with landowners who may be affected during the planning of the road.
“If they want to get this project done, that should have already been done,” Fiore said. “They say there is a consensus (on the best route), but I don’t think there is.”
Fiore said his greatest concern is of the economic impact the road may have on Greenwood.
“The question is, what’s good for Greenwood?” Fiore said. “All I am asking is that we truly look at the total impact of this project so that people can make the right choice.”
Fiore said he was concerned about the effects on the businesses downtown and along Park Avenue, once traffic can be diverted around Greenwood. He also questioned the effects of increased traffic through Grand Boulevard and near Bankston Elementary.
Farmers, including Billy Whittington, along Money Road, said the property could be divided more thoughtfully. Whittington and others also discussed various alternatives that they would like to see.
According to a report by Willis Engineering, high truck traffic along Grenada Boulevard causes problems due to poor sight distances, limited improved shoulders and non-compliant roadside clear zone requirements.
