A new interstate could eventually pass through Lincoln County on its way to Natchez, according to a federal study.

     The Federal Highway Administration recently released a report identifying five possible routes for a new interstate highway connecting Natchez to Augusta, Ga. Along the way, the interstate would also aim to link together Montgomery, Ala., Columbus, Ga. and Macon, Ga.

     Four of the five routes would utilize Highway 84 in varying degrees. If such a project ever came to fruition, local government officials agree there could be some distinct benefits to the area.

     “Anytime you get a new interstate, that’d be nice,” said District Three Supervisor Nolan Earl Williamson. “I imagine it would bring more to Lincoln County and Adams County and Franklin County.”

     Williamson, also the board of supervisors’ president, further suggested another interstate might bring increased development to areas of Lincoln County outside Brookhaven.

     “As far as it bringing this part of the county to life, it would probably help it that way,” Williamson said about the more rural parts of the county Highway 84 passes through.

     Brookhaven’s Ward Four Alderman Shirley Estes also sees positive results stemming from a potential interstate.

     “If it intersected us, it could do nothing but good for us,” said Estes, whose ward includes part of Highway 84.

     Another interstate route would bring more traffic through Brookhaven and thus provide an incentive for increased commercial development, Estes said. She also believes a new interstate could make Brookhaven more attractive to industry by providing an east-west transportation route.

     She also echoed a theme area legislators have been pushing: the need to think regionally in economic development.

     “It would be great for Natchez, and whatever improves the region improves us,” Estes said.

     The report identifies five alternative routes for the interstate, dubbed the 14th Amendment Highway Corridor.

     Three of the five routes would enter Lincoln County on what is now Highway 84, and the length of Highway 84 from Lincoln County on to Natchez would be part of the new interstate. A fourth plan would enter Lincoln County on Interstate 55 and at Brookhaven turn west on Highway 84 toward Natchez.

      The most expensive route would bypass Lincoln County entirely. That route would travel on I-55 from Jackson to Hazlehurst and from there a new interstate-quality road would be built directly connecting Hazlehurst to Natchez.

     In total, that plan would involve upgrading 97 miles of existing roads to interstate standards and constructing 178 miles of new four-lane highways. It would cost from $6.6 to $7.6 billion.

     The cheapest route, the one involving I-55, has an estimated cost of $296 to $343 million.

     The other three routes, which also utilize Highway 84 more heavily, have price tags ranging from $1.4 to $3.8 billion.

     Local officials aren’t holding their breath until the bulldozers dig in.

     “There would just have to be some studying done,” Williamson said.

     The report notes a number of approvals at the federal, state and local level would still need to be obtained.

     The Federal Highway Administration compiled the study the behest of the U.S. Congress, but no plans appear on the horizon to move forward and no funding sources are identified in the report.