The Mississippi Transportation Commission on Dec. 2025 adopted an amendment to its 2026'2028 three-year plan to add preconstruction and construction funding for passing lanes on U.S. 278 in Quitman County.

Commissioner Galway proposed the amendment, asking the plan be amended "to provide for preconstruction activities for passing lanes on US 278 from just east of Javin Shell Road to 6 miles east of Landers Road, Quitman County," and to add a construction phase in 2027. Galway told commissioners the combined cost estimate is "$6,990,000" and said the commission would address any excess construction cost with future lottery funds.

When asked whether the amendment would affect projects in the Central or Southern Districts, Galway said it would only impact North Mississippi funding for Highway 322 and would not alter projects in other districts. After brief discussion, Galway moved to adopt the amendment; another commissioner seconded the motion and the chair called the motion carried.

The amendment adds preliminary engineering work including survey, hydraulics and environmental studies, final right-of-way plans, and acquisition of any necessary right-of-way and utility relocations to advance the project toward construction. Commissioners said the work is intended to improve safety and operational capacity on the two-lane corridor.

The commission did not provide a detailed final construction funding plan beyond the $6.99 million estimate; Galway said the commission will use future lottery funds to cover any additional construction cost if needed. The amendment was adopted during the consent/discussion portion of the meeting, and no roll-call vote tally was recorded in the public transcript.

The commission moved on to other agenda items and later recessed into executive session to discuss litigation.