News Release

Natchez Trace Parkway seeks public input on future road and bridge paving and rehabilitation projects

Replacing a failed culvert on the Natchez Trace Parkway

NPS

News Release Date: July 10, 2023

Contact: Mark Holley, 662-680-4054

TUPELO, Miss.— The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public feedback on a proposed framework for addressing future road and bridge paving and rehabilitation projects on the Natchez Trace Parkway (Parkway). Rehabilitation includes the Parkway motor road, access roads, interpretive pull-outs, parking areas, bridges, culverts, and associated audible pavement marking and striping. The proposed project would establish a management framework for more efficiently reviewing and implementing these types of site-specific projects in the future.

A 30-day civic engagement period will be open from July 10 – August 9, 2023. The public is encouraged to share observations, concerns, and ideas about the project.

“Your feedback is critical in understanding the issues and topics that the NPS should examine for this project,” said Chief of Resource Management Christina Smith, “Civic engagement helps the project team identify design and resource considerations."

Comment Online (preferred method) at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ ParkwayRoadProjects

Comment by Postal Mail:
Superintendent
Natchez Trace Parkway
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804

Comments must be submitted online or postmarked by August 9, 2023, to be considered. Comments will not be accepted verbally, on social media, or any format other than specified above.

About the project. The NPS frequently undertakes road paving and rehabilitation actions along the 444-mile Parkway to ensure its continued safe operation. In the past, there has not been a comprehensive approach to evaluating these actions and their associated impacts. In addition, some proposed actions are becoming more complex. Thus, a programmatic management framework is needed to more efficiently review proposed actions; ensure their environmental impacts have been adequately avoided, minimized, or mitigated; and maintain safe transportation conditions along the entire Parkway.

The NPS is proposing a range of preliminary options to address road paving and rehabilitation actions. Your feedback will be used to refine the range of options under consideration, identify issues, and ensure NPS has public feedback needed to move forward in the planning process.