University, community and MDOT share Hwy. 12 improvement goals
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
![Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert (l-r), MSU President Mark E. Keenum, and Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman participated in a signing ceremony Thursday [Oct. 22] to declare their commitment to the improvement of Highway 12. (Photo by Russ Houston)](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/inline-images/MOU-MSU_MDOT_Starkville_20151022_REH5544-%2528002%2529.jpg "Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert (l-r), MSU President Mark E. Keenum, and Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman participated in a signing ceremony Thursday [Oct. 22] to declare their commitment to the improvement of Highway 12. (Photo b")
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擱epresentatives from 幺力视频, the City of Starkville and the Mississippi Department of Transportation met today [Oct. 22] to formalize a shared commitment to improving Highway 12 in Starkville.
Highway 12 represents the major connection between the city and the 137-year-old land grant campus.
鈥淭his project that will benefit the city and university is an example of the progress that can be accomplished in a spirit of cooperation with a common purpose of bettering the community,鈥 said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.
Officials said the endeavor will improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists at a crucial juncture connecting MSU and the Starkville community, while also enhancing the area aesthetically.
鈥淭he Highway 12 corridor and Russell Street intersection require additional development to make it safer not only for our commuters, but also for pedestrians who want to traverse from the Cotton District to our campus and vice versa. We鈥檙e all going to continue to work together to make these great things happen for this community,鈥 Keenum added.
Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert said Highway 12 is a welcoming corridor.
鈥淲e want it to be safe, and we want it to be a major avenue of commerce and opportunity within Starkville, MSU and the entire region,鈥 Tagert said.
鈥淲e look forward to the continuation of this partnership with the city and university and all that it means not only for Starkville and Oktibbeha County, but the entire region in our state. This is an economic center for the entire state, and we look forward to being a part of that solution,鈥 he added.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said the project will involve what may be the most significant corridor in the City of Starkville.
鈥淥ur hope is that after this project, we won鈥檛 think of it as being between MSU and the city, but rather we鈥檒l think of it as being a part of the seamless connection that is Starkville and MSU,鈥 Wiseman said.
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