Starting Point: On Poplar Springs Dr, just north of 45th St, in
Meridian, Lauderdale County
Ending Point: At MS 16 west of DeKalb, Kemper County
Official Distance (MDOT): 27.233 miles
Counties: Lauderdale, Kemper
Cities/towns over 5,000 pop served: Meridian
Multiplexes: None
NHS: None
Freeway Segments: None
Other Multilane Segments: None
Average Daily Traffic (1998): Ranges from 370 in southern Kemper County to 4,000 in north Meridian.
Notes: The southern end of this route puzzles me. I'm not sure why they picked a point in the middle of the block, let alone that point. As I understand things, the route DID extend down onto downtown Meridian. When or why it was truncated to its current point, I haven't determined yet. A plan has surfaced somewhat recently (a prior year's STIP) to widen the route to 5-lanes from North Hills St north to MS 495. This plan is still in existence, but has been delayed due to MDOT funding issues.
Froggie Suggests: In addition to some widening in Meridian, I would
do two extensions. One would go north to MS 397. I would also extend
it south in Meridian in one of four ways:
1) West along North Hills St to MS 19.
2) East along North Hills St to MS 39.
3) South along an extended/upgraded 29th Ave to
I-20/59.
4) South along an upgraded Poplar Springs Dr/24th
Ave/23rd Ave/22nd Ave to I-20/59.