Appropriation; Transportation, Department of - State Aid Road Construction, Office of.

This bill appropriates approximately $220 million to the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Office of State Aid Road Construction for the fiscal year 2025 to fund road maintenance and bridge repair projects. The legislation authorizes the hiring of 54 permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Additionally, the bill sets specific performance targets for the agency, such as completing a certain number of road and bridge projects and maintaining administrative costs at or below 5% of construction spending. It also designates up to $40 million specifically for replacing structurally deficient bridges on the Local System Bridge Program.