Video: MDOT Grant Will Fund Improvements At Railroad Crossings For Pedestrians, Motorists

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – One city gets a grant to improve intersections at railroad crossings.

Tupelo will receive an$850,000 MDOT grant. The “Transportation Alternatives” program will allow the city to improve certain railroad crossings, with signal upgrades.

The improvements will take place primarily at railroad crossings in the downtown area.

“What you will have is sidewalks, crossing guards, signalization, and other things, to just make it safer for pedestrians that we’re trying to promote in Tupelo. We’ve invested tens of millions of dollars all the way across the city of Tupelo to make Tupelo a walkable, pedestrian friendly, cyclist friendly, community,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.

“We’re gonna make some improvements, starting with a couple of improvements on specific railroad crossings here in the city. And, its going to improve not only the driveability over those crossings, which is always a very positive thing, but it’s going to improve the signalization, making it so much safer for the driver and the railroad, as well as pedestrians, making sure that crosswalks, adequate crosswalks, and signalization are put in place,” said Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert.

The 80/20 grant means Tupelo will kick in twenty percent, which will provide $1,000,000 for improvements.