A new interstate will be opening soon in north Mississippi. MDOT Commissioner Mike Tagert said when Interstate 269 is completed, it will providing a safer and more efficient way for commercial vehicles to move goods through the region.
Once completed, Interstate 269 will form a 30-mile loop around Memphis through Mississippi and Tennessee. In Mississippi, Interstate 269 will begin at the Interstate 55/69 intersection north of Hernando, cross U.S. Highway 78 near Byhalia and continue northeast to the Tennessee state line.
“It’s a big project for the entire state of Mississippi because it connects multiple interstates which is not something that we are able to, or can afford to do very often here,” Tagert said. “The project was made possible by separate bond funding from many years ago, so it is just now coming to completion.”
The Interstate 269 project is the largest MDOT construction project in the state. It is divided into eight individual sections, all of which are under construction and more than 50 percent complete.
“As growth continues in DeSoto and Marshall Counties, this new interstate will be vital in promoting economic growth and development in the region,” said Tagert.
Interstate 269 will relieve traffic pressure on the Interstate 55/69 corridor and connect Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 in North Mississippi. Interstate 40 is a major cross-country freight route, and Interstate 69 will be an international connector between Canada and Mexico.
“This is more than just a bypass around Memphis,” said Tagert. “The construction of I-269 will transform the region by connecting local communities in several states and will have far-reaching international implications.”
Tagert added that Tunica’s gaming industry believes the new interstate will improve their business. Gaming numbers have been down in Tunica for several years now.
“Between sports betting and having the new access of the interstate to the Tunica region, that’s definitely going to be significant for them,” Tagert said.
MDOT will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for one section of Interstate 269 which has been completed.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 26th at 2:30 p.m. on Interstate 269 at the Mississippi-Tennessee state line.
Following the ceremony, that section of Interstate 269 will be opened to traffic.
