Council adds emergency item to seek federal transportation alternatives funding for pedestrian access

The Jackson City Council unanimously approved an emergency order authorizing the mayor to submit a proposal to the Metropolitan Planning Organization to apply for federal Transportation Alternatives funding to increase access and mobility for non-drivers in Jackson.

Interim CAO Peter Tabelson said the city faces a Sept. 30 application deadline and encouraged council members with other project ideas to submit them quickly; he said the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District process could make approximately $7 million available for projects through the MPO. Council members discussed particular pedestrian-bridge projects and other walkability priorities.

The emergency item was added with the required unanimous support to meet the deadline and passed on the floor 6-0. Tabelson said the grants team would accept additional project ideas and submit them by the application date.