New MDOT Executive Director discuss Plans

Brad White will officially take office as Executive Director of Transportation on July 1st. White says through the position, he hopes to advance the state’s transportation system.

“Well, it’s my hope that we are able to reflect credit upon the agency. The executive director runs the day-to-day operations of the agency”, stated White. “We’ve got about 2,600 employees. Our budget is about $1.4 billion a year. Of course, setting of priorities and policies are vested in the power of elected transportation commission in which the people elect and that’s who I ultimately work for, hopefully, we will be able to carry out their policies that make everybody happy.”

Through the $4.46 billion infrastructure bill Mississippi received, more than $200 million will be used for bridge replacements and repairs. A project Meridian is already seeing.

“We’ve got a list of needs around the state that value about $5 billion worth of improvements across the state whether that is expanding lanes, constructing bypasses other things that will move transportation, move vehicles in a more efficient manner. So, hopefully with the extra funds that we will be getting from the federal government we can start back to building capacity projects that will go a long way in enhancing our existing system”, explained Brad White.

As gas prices continue to increase across the state, some reaching up to $4, White says it could have a domino effect on other things.

“It’s a big concern. Inflation is a problem. The higher the materials and things like gas go, the more it’s going to cost to construct projects, which means the fewer projects we will be able to do”, said White. “Our needs already outweigh the number of funds we have to do them, so the higher things like that become, the less we will be able to get to the needs around.”

White previously served as chief of staff to Governor Tate Reeves.