FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Gulfport, Miss. – Gulf Regional Planning Commission (GRPC), in partnership with the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (MSPA), has been awarded a $275,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). GRPC will administer the grant, while the MSPA provides both in-kind outreach resources and matching funds for the study.
This grant will help fund the Port of Gulfport Safety and Access Study, a supplemental component of the Gulf Coast Vision Zero Action Plan. The study’s purpose is to engage the community in developing a plan to enhance safety and accessibility of key transportation corridors adjacent to Port facilities.
The study will focus on strategies to improve safety and access for all road users. Design concepts will be developed for sidewalks, bike paths, landscaping, lighting, signal upgrades, and signage improvements along corridors in two critical locations:
- 28th Street and 34th Avenue surrounding the off-terminal port facility commonly known as the Cotton Compress
- Highway 90along the north side of the deep-water port facility in downtown Gulfport
“These areas will benefit from targeted improvements designed to reduce vehicle speeds, enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, and ensure ADA accessibility,” said GRPC Executive Director Kenneth Yarrow. “This study will be instrumental in assessing the current infrastructure’s ability to handle existing and projected traffic and will allow us to develop conceptual designs to improve the roadway infrastructure for all transportation users of roadways near the Port facilities.”
The study and planning phase will include active community participation to develop robust plans best suited for the locations. Following the planning phase, the MSPA and GRPC will pursue additional grant funding through the USDOT SS4A program for implementation.
“The MSPA is dedicated to building strong relationships with the Gulfport community and ensuring that the MSPA’s operational benefits are shared broadly and fairly,” said Port of Gulfport CEO Jon Nass. “We are proud to receive this SS4A grant, which compliments a series of initiatives the Port has launched in 2024 to enhance community outreach, improve safety, reduce emissions, and promote workforce development.”
To learn more about MSPA community initiatives, visit https://shipmspa.com/community-initiatives/.
About the MSPA:
Established in 1902, the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport is primed for growth after a $1 billion restoration project reached completion in 2022. The Port of Gulfport is centrally located on the Gulf of Mexico, with easy access to Interstate 10, excellent Class I rail connections, and the ability to service a majority of the US market within 24 hours. As the second-largest U.S. importer of green fruit, Gulfport offers a strong market for refrigerated cargo, with established weekly vessel calls from Central America and thriving domestic and international business connections.
About the GRPC:
GRPC provides transportation planning support to fifteen-member governments, including twelve cities and three coastal Mississippi counties, and serves as the Mississippi Gulf Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization for the urbanized areas of Gulfport-Biloxi and Pascagoula-Moss Point. GRPC works closely with the local public agencies and citizens of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to provide information and tools that support the regional decision-making process. GRPC staff work diligently to promote a safe, efficient, and fiscally sound transportation system that serves the travel needs of coastal residents, businesses and visitors.
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