Jackson County Road Improvements

Jackson County residents voice their opinion on ways to improve a roadway they say is a high risk zone for accidents.
News 25’s Kendra Turley takes us to tonight’s open house meeting at the Ocean Springs Civic Center.
Dangerous, dark, and narrow: these are just some of the words Jackson County residents use to describe the 4.4. miles of road between Highway 90 and Highway 57. Ocean Springs Road resident Vanessa Mueller said, “You find a lot of motorists doing a high rate of speed on that road and then those of us that are trying to turn into the subdivisions. You have people right behind you or they’ll actually pass you on the left hand side.”
Jackson County officials started an enhancement study to analyze the existing roadway conditions on the popular cut-through street. Jackson County Administrator Brian Fulton said, “It was an opportunity for us to get some federal funding to actually do a study to see what improvements should be made out there and try to program to actually make those improvements in the future.”
Residents had the opportunity to hear a list of improvements planned for the roadway during a public meeting at the Ocean Springs Civic Center.
The open house meeting was not only informative, but interactive as well. Residents were able to take a look at proposed ideas for the Ocean Springs Road and voice their opinions on whether or not they thought it was a great idea or an idea that needed some work.
Proposed ideas include adding a median and turning lanes at major intersections and subdivision entrances. “Then one other component that’s being talked about a lot is a multi-use pathway which would be a wide sidewalk basically detached from the road for bicycles and pedestrians,” said Fulton.
Residents hope whatever changes come out of the enhancement study help contribute toward a safer commute for all who travel along the road. “Just today, coming home, someone was obviously not paying attention on that rounded bend and I had to slam on my brakes because they actually drifted into my lane,” said Mueller.