Video: I 22 Designation Expected To Boost Area’s Visibility, Ability To Attract Businesses

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NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – The nation’s newest interstate highway is opened. What was known for years as Highway 78 is now I 22 .
As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, the new designation will be used as a recruitment tool for industries, businesses and potential residents.

As dignitaries unveiled the new signage, I 22 markers were already in place.

Elected officials from the local, state and national level took part in a ceremony that was decades in the making.

“This is a great example of a vision actually coming to pass and why we spent so much time thinking about what we want the future of our state to look like, from road, bridge and access, it’s so important,” said Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert.

In fact, Hyundai rejected a plant site near New Albany, because they required interstate access.

But by the time Toyota was considering the area for its plant, plans for the I 22 corridor were established.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves says it’s vital to have the interstate designation.

“The facts are, if you can’t get your products to market then you can’t locate in a facility, so to see what’s been done here in New Albany and really all of Northeast Mississippi is a big thing for commerce and economic development,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said.

Local real estate broker Jed Morris believes New Albany and the surrounding area is poised for greater growth because of I 22.

“Just the transportation, and ability to go from Memphis to Birmingham, it will speed commutes up, for airports, commerce and all sorts of different things we believe,” Morris said.

For now, the old Highway 78 signs are in place alongside the I 22 markers. But those old signs will soon be removed along the 213 mile long route from Memphis to Birmingham.

I 22 will eventually connect to Interstate 269 in Mississippi once construction is complete.