Appropriation; Yazoo County to begin planning, design and construction of a 4-lane highway connecting Hwy 16 from Hwy 49 to I-55.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Timaka James-Jones

Authorizes state funding to plan, design, and build a four-lane Hwy 16 link from Hwy 49 to I-55 in Yazoo County, improving mobility, safety, and access.

Died In Committee

#appropriationsa

Summary — HB 1821 (Yazoo County 4‑lane highway appropriation)

Note: The packet you provided contains multiple different bills and documents labeled “HB 1821” from other states (including an Illinois bill on highway advertising and an Arkansas bill on captive insurance). The summary below covers the bill description you listed at the top — “Appropriation; Yazoo County to begin planning, design and construction of a 4‑lane highway connecting Hwy 16 from Hwy 49 to I‑55.” If you intended a different HB 1821 (Illinois or Arkansas), tell me and I will summarize that text instead.

Purpose and intent

Authorize state funding (an appropriation) to initiate planning, design, and construction of a four‑lane highway in Yazoo County.

The project would create a continuous 4‑lane connection along Highway 16 from Highway 49 to Interstate 55 (I‑55), intended to improve mobility, safety, and economic access in the region.

Key provisions (as stated)

Directs state appropriation(s) for three phases: planning, engineering/design, and construction of the 4‑lane highway segment.

Specifies the project corridor: Hwy 16 between Hwy 49 and I‑55 in Yazoo County.

Likely requires coordination with the state Department of Transportation, county government, and any applicable federal permitting (not in the supplied text but typical for highway projects).

Who would be affected

Residents, commuters, and businesses in Yazoo County and nearby areas (reduced travel times, improved safety).

Freight and regional traffic that use Hwy 16, Hwy 49, and I‑55 (potential economic and logistical benefits).

Landowners along the corridor (possible right‑of‑way acquisition, relocation or compensation).

Local and state transportation agencies (project oversight, design, construction management).

Environmental and permitting stakeholders (wetlands, cultural resources, environmental review).

Fiscal and timeline aspects

The bill is an appropriation measure; however, the provided summary does not include a dollar amount or funding source.

Legislative status: Introduced January 13, 2025; referred to Appropriations A; recorded as “Died In Committee” (i.e., it did not advance or become law in this session).

Because it died in committee, no appropriation was enacted and no state funding was authorized under this bill.

Potential impacts and considerations

Benefits: improved safety, capacity, regional economic development, and access to I‑55.

Costs/risks: construction costs, long‑term maintenance, environmental mitigation, and property acquisition—specifics depend on an engineering study and funding level.

Implementation would require design studies, environmental review (NEPA if federal funds/permits involved), right‑of‑way acquisition, and construction contracting.

If you want:
- I can prepare a short options memo on likely funding ranges, typical timelines for similar 4‑lane conversion projects, or stakeholder implications; or
- I can summarize the other HB 1821 materials in your packet (Illinois highway‑advertising amendments or the Arkansas captive insurance bill). Which would you prefer?