MADISON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials in Madison County celebrated the opening of the second stage of the Reunion Parkway.

“When I was in the Senate, you all were talking about building Reunion to connect Madison County, get some relief of SR 463 and support future growth to accompany the companies coming to the area,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. “There are a lot of opportunities here. As your Commissioner, I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate this phase and look forward to being back to do the same for the next one.”

The ribbon cutting event was held on the new road just west of the intersection of U.S. 51 and Green Oak Lane in Madison County on Wednesday.

Crews recently completed an intersection improvement project that consisted of widening roadways along with the installation of intersection channelization and a traffic signal system. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the project provided the U.S. 51 tie-in needed for the adjacent Reunion Parkway project underway by the Madison County Board of Supervisors.

“The opening of the second stage of Reunion is important because it will greatly decrease traffic on congested roadways, increase safety, and provide economic development opportunities for Madison County by creating conditions that are favorable to businesses,” said Madison County Board of Supervisors President Gerald Steen. “As our county grows, we are committed to providing infrastructure that will support growth.”

Steen anticipates the next stage opening later this fall. Officials broke ground on the first phase of the Reunion Parkway project in 2023.