New funds from the Mississippi Lottery are helping to lower a backlog in the state’s road maintenance projects and have aided in the repaving of more than 250 miles of highway across the state, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said.

Officials said the roughly $80 million in lottery funds helped the Mississippi Transportation Commission put a priority on pavement restoration, focusing on upgrades to aging infrastructures, WLBT-TV reported.

“We don’t gamble on safety. MDOT wasted no time putting these funds to use and awarded numerous projects throughout the state, many are already underway,” said Commissioner Tom King, chair, of the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

“MDOT is very appreciative of the legislature for designating a portion of the lottery proceeds to Mississippi’s maintenance needs.”

https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article248870174.html