STARKVILLE, MS

Trail connects City of Starkville with Mississippi State campus

Neel-Schaffer provided engineering design and construction engineering and inspection services for this project to build a one-mile long multi-use path extension that helps better connect City of Starkville residents with the Mississippi State University campus.

The extension along Locksley Way begins at Lynn Lane and runs to Blackjack Street. It turns south on Blackjack Street and continues to Stone Boulevard at the southern entrance to the MSU campus.

The project began in November 2018 and was completed in July 2019, nearly one month ahead of schedule.

Among the amenities is a two-way protected cycle track along Locksley way, a feature Neel-Schaffer engineers say is a first-of-its kind for the state of Mississippi. The protected bike lane is 8 feet wide and built into the road, adjacent to a 6-foot sidewalk. Other features include a two-stage left-turn box for cyclists to use at intersections, and a “floating bus stop,” where the cycle track merges into one level with the sidewalk and bus stop to form a multi-modal facility.

The $1.09 million project was funded by an $800,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration that was administered via the Mississippi Department of Transportation, with Oktibbeha County, the City of Starkville and Mississippi State University equaling funding the remaining $290,000.

In a story published by the Starkville Daily News, city, county and MSU leaders praised the joint project for its cohesiveness and the benefits to all stakeholders.

“It’s particularly satisfying when you have a project that’s a collaboration between the city, county and university,” Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill told the newspaper.

“The opportunity was there, and we all partnered for it,” Orlando Trainer, the county Board of Supervisors President, told the Daily News. “Everybody kicked in and I think that path will be utilized for many years to come.”