FULTON, Miss. — The federal government is giving $52.4 million to build a highway in Mississippi’s northeast corner.
Federal and state officials said Tuesday that the money will be matched by $43.6 million in state and other federal funds. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will construct an 8.3-mile (13.4-kilometer) four-lane highway in Itawamba County.
The extension of Mississippi 76 will connect with Mississippi 25 north of Fulton, completing a four-lane corridor between Batesville and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Officials say the road will carry freight between the Blue Springs Toyota plant and a Mazda-Toyota plant being built in Huntsville, Alabama.
Traffic currently uses a 13-mile (21-kilometer) stretch of two-lane road in Itawamba County.
The road was to be built beginning in 2011, but was postponed for lack of money.
Officials will seek bids next spring.