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Board approves agreement to maintain lighting if I-55 widening includes lights
Summary
Madison County approved an agreement that would place maintenance responsibility for a new lighting system along Interstate 55 with the county if MDOT proceeds with widening the interstate; construction and maintenance would begin only after MDOT awards the widening contract, and county staff said maintenance is typically contracted out.
Madison County Board of Supervisors, June 16, 2025
The Madison County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement committing the county to maintain a proposed lighting system along Interstate 55 if and when the interstate is widened. County staff said the lighting would be added only as part of the advertised project to widen I-55 from four lanes to six lanes and that the lights would not be installed until the state completes the widening contract and construction.
County Administrator Greg Desant explained the agreement mirrors other interstate-lighting arrangements the county has with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and that the county's role would be ongoing maintenance after lights are installed. When board members asked about maintenance capacity and cost, staff said the county typically pays outside contractors to perform maintenance because the county lacks specialized equipment and certain personnel.
Timelines discussed to place the lighting into the broader widening effort included design completion: staff noted MDOT's design work was expected to conclude around October, and that the lighting agreement is a step tied to the design and eventual construction schedule.
Supervisor Banks moved approval; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Ending: The board approved the agreement; installation and county maintenance obligations will commence only if and when the I-55 widening project is advertised, awarded and constructed.
Quote: "That's what the agreement says. Yes, sir. And it's the same agreement we have across the county with other interstate related lighting systems so it's just continuing the historical pattern of Madison County," said Greg Desant, the county administrator, describing the agreement.
