Rankin County approves preliminary plat for 210‑lot Bay Castle subdivision despite traffic concerns

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the preliminary plat for Bay Castle, an approximately 210‑lot subdivision proposed along Highway 471 in Districts 2 and 4. The developer’s site plan and a traffic study by Jonathan Kaiser of Kaiser Traffic and Engineering were reviewed during the meeting.

Kaiser summarized the study’s key findings: "left turn lanes are warranted at both of the proposed access points on 471," and the intersections will operate at "levels of service D or better" on the major street under the study’s forecasts. His counts showed an existing peak directional flow of roughly 600 vehicles per hour and a build‑out forecast approaching 700 vehicles per hour, which the study said is about 80% of an 880‑vehicle‑per‑hour capacity figure cited by the engineer.

Supervisors pressed staff on how the subdivision’s ingress and egress will be handled and whether the county should require additional turn lanes or a center two‑way left turn lane between the entrances. One supervisor warned, "When them 200 houses get built, they ain't gonna feel that way," arguing the county could be asked later to add traffic controls. Engineers noted the two proposed access points each warrant an ingress left‑turn lane; a continuous center turn lane between driveways would require widening and significant earthwork because the two accesses are about 1,180 feet apart (roughly a quarter mile).

Kaiser said he recommended lowering the posted speed limit in the corridor (from 55 to about 45 mph) to reflect increased turning volumes, but that any speed‑limit change would be made by MDOT because Highway 471 is a state route. He also said a traffic signal is not currently warranted under signal‑warrant criteria, and estimated that installing a signal could cost roughly $450,000. County staff told the board that the county’s approval of a preliminary plat would not by itself determine final MDOT requirements and that construction drawings and MDOT permits would be required before pavement and lane changes are built.

The board approved the preliminary plat by voice vote and directed staff to continue coordinating with the developer and MDOT on final access design and construction drawings.

Next steps: the developer may proceed to construction drawings and MDOT must review and permit any changes to Highway 471 before the county issues permits or accepts roadway work.