Swinnea Road connection is opened to traffic

Photo: Officials stand for the ribbon-cutting to open the newly constructed portion of Swinnea Road, on Friday afternoon, April 26. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

DeSoto County drivers are now able to use a new road to travel between Hernando and Southaven as the new portion of Swinnea Road, from Starlanding Road to Pleasant Hill Road was opened on Friday afternoon, April 26.  

The $4.5 million county road project begins with the now four-way stop at Swinnea and Starlanding and travels south to connect with the current Swinnea Road and on to McIngvale Road at Pleasant Hill.  Just over three-quarters of a mile of new roadway makes up the project, along with two-tenths of a mile of road widening, making for a straight shot connection now between Stateline Road and Slocum.   

While the county foots the bill for the construction, Supervisor Mark Gardner said Swinnea Road is another case of governments working together.  

“We have the City of Southaven and the City of Hernando here,” Gardner said. “The City of Southaven is going to put a traffic signal here, and there’s going to be a partnership between the county, the city and the school board to put a traffic signal down here at Pleasant Hill.

Officials hope the new road offers another connection between Southaven and Hernando who don’t find I-55 or Highway 51 being convenient. It would help alleviate some traffic from those arterial roads. 

Supervisor Board President Lee Caldwell pointed out that Swinnea Road becomes that vital link in the county, and Supervisor Jessie Medlin reflected on his work with the county in getting the road system that Swinnea Road becomes a part of during Friday’s ceremony ahead of a ribbon cutting event.  

Gardner added that other projects are on the drawing board and seeking federal assistance for DeSoto County roads will be part of the Blue Ribbon trip of government officials to Washington, D.C. next week.