Airport parkway bill may be considered

The Clarion-Ledger, 5/12/8

The fate of a bill expected to be considered in an upcoming special legislative session could mean the difference between having a road connecting downtown Jackson to the city’s international airport in four years or in 15, state transportation officials say.

The $400 million project appears to depend on whether House and Senate leaders can reach a compromise in a special session .

Lawmakers were unable to agree on changes to the bill before the regular session ended last month. Gov. Haley Barbour has said he may include the issue in a special session expected to be scheduled before June 30.

Because of the project’s size, Mississippi Department of Transportation officials want to contract with a private company for 50 years instead of 30.