Support safety, support 'Excelerate Mississippi'

Our safety and economy are at risk: 936 state bridges and 24,591 miles of state roads -- the primary routes that connect our communities to the nation and world -- aren't able to hold up to the traffic and weights for which they were designed and are no longer keeping pace with the economic development needs of our state.

We can't continue to put our families and communities at risk by ignoring Mississippi's deteriorating infrastructure.

The Mississippi Economic Council's "Excelerate Mississippi" initiative provides practical answers to increase funding to maintain and repair our vital roads and bridges at a cost of only 37 cents a day per registered vehicle.

We need to come together in support of "Excelerate Mississippi" so that every Mississippian can rely on the safe roads and strong bridges they deserve.

JIM LUTHER

Biloxi

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 9:04 PM with the headline "Support safety, support 'Excelerate Mississippi' ."