Two years after Adams County received a $500,000 allocation from the state to repair the frequently flooded Carthage Point Road, progress has been hampered by a series of complications. County officials continue to face delays tied to environmental and bureaucratic hurdles, but remain committed to seeing the project through.
Adams County Supervisor Wes Middleton met Monday with concerned citizens regarding the continued closure of the road. “I’m going to fight to the end to make sure these people get access to their property,” Middleton said, acknowledging frustrations over the ongoing delays.
Board of Supervisors President Kevin Wilson echoed the urgency to resolve the matter. “We’re going to get to it as fast as we can. I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” Wilson said. In the meantime, county crews are hauling in dirt in an effort to address erosion and make the road passable again.
The project has faced multiple challenges. The Mississippi River’s persistently high water levels have limited access and workability. Further complicating efforts are questions surrounding how the $500,000 can legally be spent. Carthage Point Road, which runs past the old International Paper mill and parallels the Mississippi River, is highly susceptible to flooding and erosion. Though there are no homes on the road, it provides access to oil wells and hunting camps.
Among the affected landowners is State Representative Robert Johnson of Natchez, whose family has held property on Carthage Point for approximately 35 years. Johnson joined Monday’s meeting with the Board of Supervisors, raising concerns about prolonged inaccessibility to private land.
The $500,000 grant was included in a broader $372 million infrastructure package passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2023. Funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal initiative enacted in 2021 to aid states in recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson pointed to confusion at the state auditor’s office over how the funds may be used, including questions about whether formal contractor bids are required before work can proceed. These uncertainties continue to delay the much-needed repairs.
Local leaders reaffirmed their intent to push forward, despite the setbacks, to ensure landowners regain access to the flood-prone route.
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