Jackson Free Press

The most vocal champion of the Byram-Clinton Parkway, which has long been under development, today announced what she called an exciting new phase for the project.

Peggy Hobson-Calhoun, who represents District 3 on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, said the county has acquired all the necessary land to commence work on a second segment of the parkway.

The 18-mile multi-lane route runs from Byram at Interstate 55 South, extending northwest to the Norrell Road interchange at Interstate 20 in Clinton. Plans call for the parkway to be built in five sections.

Work crews have completed one segment on the corridor that will consist of retail, residential and commercial development.

Hobson-Calhoun said that federal guidelines require construction on the second phase to begin by June 2014.

A lightning rod for controversy, today's announcement met with criticism from District 5 Supervisor Kenneth Stokes, an outspoken foe of the project.

"It makes no sense we're robbing the people like that," Stokes said.

Stokes' main point of contention, he said, is that the county does not have enough money to finish the whole parkway. Stokes said the county should focus on helping smaller towns such as Utica, Terry, Edwards and Bolton instead of spending "money for a project that will never be completed."

He also expressed skepticism that the project will draw funding from municipal, state or federal authorities, alluding to last month's federal government shutdown that resulted from partisan disagreement over fiscal priorities.

"(If) you think those Tea Party folks are going to send money down here to Mississippi (for the Byram-Clinton Parkway), you're sick," Stokes said this morning.