By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
Barricades down, West Oxford Loop Extended officially opened Wednesday.
Discussions to build a road around Oxford began more than a decade ago. The proposed road was dubbed Tobby Tubby Parkway.
After MDOT refused to fund it, city and county leaders entered into an agreement to split the costs to build the road that now extends West Oxford Loop to Old Sardis Road.
“We are so proud of this new thoroughfare,” said Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill on Twitter. “It is a beautiful, convenient new route.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. on Aug. 8.
The second phase will extend the road from College Hill to Industrial Park Drive. However, the $6 million-plus project has not yet been fully funded.
In its recent session, the Mississippi Legislature granted Lafayette County $1 million from the BP lawsuit funds toward the second phase project.
The two governments also agreed to extend Sisk Avenue to Highway 6 and share the costs. Sisk extension is expected to open this fall.
