Engineers will explore possible new routes for a Copiah-LincolnCommunity College access road after landowners rejected a proposedroute during an informal meeting Monday at the Thames Center.

Lincoln County Engineer Carl Ray Furr said $2 million in federalfunds has been earmarked for the road that would link Interstate 55with Highway 51 near Wesson. The proposed route presented Mondaywould have followed Mount Zion Road to near the county line andthen cut across to connect the interstate to Highway 51 at thebridge to Co-Lin south of the town.

“If we can’t do a project like this voluntarily, we don’t needto be in court (pursuing eminent domain),” Furr said afterpotentially-affected landowners voiced a number of concerns.

Two families, whose property would be affected when the roadcuts over to Co-Lin, rejected the proposed route. Steve Bennettsaid not dividing the property was their main concern, and DrewSweatman did not think an alternate route could be to found withoutaffecting their land in that area.

“We have enough land out there, you’d be cutting right throughthe middle of ours,” Sweatman said.

Furr said last night’s proposed route was “not set in stone” andthe project has not begun.

“We want to work with you and find out if it’s something youneed,” Furr said. “That’s why we’re here.”

The economic impact of the road on Wesson was also a concern forlandowners. Furr said Wesson would thrive with a direct route toCo-Lin, but some said it would take traffic and business customersaway from the downtown area.

“It’s not going to help Wesson. It’s going to hurt Wesson morethan anything,” Sweatman said.

Furr said Wesson was hurt years ago when the interstate camethrough and isolated the community. Landowner Albert Peets fearedthat would happen again with proposed route.

“That’s all you’re doing now: bypassing it,” Peets said.

Wesson Mayor Bill Tigner said he believes that what’s goodlong-term for Co-Lin is good long-term for the town. Others agreed,but they had some short-term economic impact concerns with theroute presented.

“It’s going to cut the community off to a significant amount oftraffic,” said property owner Robert Alsbury.

Wesson citizen Jim Hampton pointed out wetlands and endangeredspecies concerns with the proposed route. He speculated there wouldbe a high cost to address those if the proposed route wasfollowed.

With the existing Mount Zion Road into the town in need ofrepairs plus traffic diversion concerns, citizens encouragedofficials to consider a route that would come out closer to town.There were other property and home concerns associated with a routethat would take the road closer to town.

“We’ll look at all possible routes that will get us out there,”Furr said. “We’ll see which one is less intrusive.”

Officials said another landowner meeting, possibly in January,will be held once a new proposed route is developed.

Co-Lin President Dr. Howell Garner cited safety and improvedtraffic flow as potential benefits to the college.

“Any time you improve access, you benefit Co-Lin,” he said.

The north Lincoln County area is also under consideration as apossible future industrial park, Furr said. He said the new routewould help the park and Wesson.

“If you don’t have a transportation route, you’re going to beleft behind as far as economic development,” Furr said.

Supervisors in Lincoln and Copiah counties must agree on accessroad activities.

Copiah County Supervisor Terry Channel said he was at lastnight’s meeting to hear how his constituents felt. He said he wouldsupport his constituents, and the road would not “be shoved downnobody’s throat” if they did not want it.

“Whichever way it goes, it’s going to be in their hands,”Channel said.

Lincoln County Supervisor Bobby J. Watts said he was 100 percentfor the road, adding it was vital to the county, the college andits students. Some property owners were angered with hisdetermination and questioned whether he was supporting thepeople.

“You support the people when you got a road,” Watts said.

There was a feeling among meeting participants last night to tryand salvage the $2 million set aside for the road project. Furrtold them the money was a one-time allocation.

“You’ll never have the opportunity to build this road again ifthis money has to go back,” Furr said.