Over six years ago, a group of concerned citizens began organizing and held meetings of their own to oppose alternative routes and to support a Cedar Lake route as all previous studies had determined to be the best route for the citizens of Biloxi. But as in many things, the slow progress, and deaf ear by city officials and the Mayor, eventually brought silence from citizens on the issue. That is not to say they were not effective. The Concerned Citizens group conducted petition drives and obtained over two thousand signatures opposing a bridge to connect to the Woolmarket interchange in favor of a Cedar Lake route. The Biloxi City Council, Biloxi School Board, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Sunkist Country Club, and the Chambers of Commerce also passed resolutions in support of the Cedar Lake route. The Biloxi City Council, MDOT, and “Concerned Citizens” held public input meetings on MDOT’s proposals, and the public input overwhelmingly supported the Cedar Lake route. Without question, these activities have had an impact on MDOT. Without these activities, MDOT surely would have, arbitrarily, selected a route that would have severely negatively impacted Biloxi. The resolution passed by the Biloxi City Council on March 18,
1999, supporting the Cedar Lake route, The resolution noted that the Biloxi Comprehensive Plan called for two four-lane connectors between I 10 and Highway 90. The resolution specifically stated “an overhead expressway is detrimental to neighborhoods and deters the quality of life in residential and commercial structures in its vicinity.” This was an ideal resolution which reflected the will of the community. |
authorized Mayor A.J. Holloway to
employ an architect or engineer with a knowledge of urban planning and
transportation to prepare a conceptual design for ground-level
boulevards/connectors from Cedar Lake to Highway 90. The Resolution also
called for working with KAFB and the VA Center to develop solutions for
any concerns they might have for any corridor that would possibly go
through any of their properties.