A grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will go toward funding a much-needed sidewalk connecting one of Jackson’s largest neighborhoods to the city’s busiest medical district.
The Greater Belhaven Foundation (GBF) will receive the $440,000 grant through the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Program. The funding, along with a 20% match to be raised by GBF, will enable the construction of a multi-use trail along Peachtree Street.
Each weekday, a logjam of students and staff from Jackson Public Schools (JPS), Belhaven University, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) piles up on the route. With no sidewalk on the western side of Peachtree, many must walk on the road, resulting in a daily public safety hazard – one that leaders believe will be remedied by the new trail.
“We are elated that the Greater Belhaven Foundation has been awarded this grant to create a walking and biking path on Peachtree Street,” JPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Michael Cormack said. “This project will enhance the green spaces near our campuses and improve the safety of our scholars at Wells APAC and Murrah High School, as well as pedestrians in this vital medical corridor.”
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The new trail will be built to enhance connectivity between the districts, creating a safer, more accessible route for Jacksonians. The efforts build on recent renovations along Riverside Drive, which added a 12-foot multi-use trail to improve pedestrian access to schools and workplaces. Riverside and Woodrow Wilson will be connected via the Peach Street trail extension and new infrastructure like a pedestrian bridge over Belhaven Creek.
“We are thrilled to hear the news of the largest award in our Foundation’s history!” GBF Executive Director Mary Alex Thigpen said. “GBF is committed to partnering with the many stakeholders who want to see this recreational infrastructure expanded and improved in our neighborhood.”
When completed, the Peachtree Street trail extension will be another significant step towards creating a more cohesive Jackson neighborhood. Several key locations will be connected through the trail and GBF’s recent efforts, including the existing Riverside Drive multi-use trail, the UMMC campus, the Old Canton Road trail system, the Museum Trail system, Laurel Street Park, Belhaven Heights Park, and others.
JPS, which owns the land where the trail will be constructed, granted a construction easement to support the development and ensure the safety of students and staff.
