Business leaders announce state legislative priorities
The Madison County Business League & Foundation on Monday presented its list of four projects to county supervisors as part of their legislative agenda they hope to seek additional state funding to help fund.
Phil Buffington, chair of the MCBL&F government affairs committee, presented the list which includes:
• Reunion Crossing - Bozeman Road Project
• Highland Commerce Park Drive Connector Road Project
• Gluckstadt Road Widening Project
• Wastewater Upgrades
MCBL&F Executive Director Jan Collins told supervisors that this list was made following 21 meetings with municipal and county leaders and after approval from the entire MCBL&F board.
Madison County has received millions of dollars to aid with the Reunion Interchange project from the state so far and hopes to continue to receive funding.
County Engineer Tim Bryan announced that the notice to proceed on Reunion Crossing over I-55 to Parkway East was issued on Monday and that along with Reunion Phase III, which will connect the road to U.S. Highway 51, could both be completed in the next two years.
The Highland Commerce Park Drive Connector Road project received over $1 million in state funds in 2022 and will cost an estimated $25 million to build.
It will create a roadway in southern Madison County from west County Line Road running north to the immediate vicinity of the intersection of Lake Harbour Drive Extension and Highland Colony Parkway. The total length of the project is 2.5 miles.
The Gluckstadt Road Widening project would add an extra lane to Gluckstadt Road, which District 2 Supervisor Trey Baxter said is vital as traffic congestion continues to worsen in the area.
Baxter also asked about wastewater upgrades and whether or not there was any money left at the state level from COVID-19 relief funds.
Buffington said he has been pursuing that for the last few weeks, saying he’s heard there’s no money left to there is some available.
“That’s probably a moving target for us,” he told supervisors.
“Each one of these projects are very important to Madison County’s continued growth,” Board President Gerald Steen said.