Legislative Session 2022: Legislation Update and I-20 Closure Preview
As the 2022 legislative session wraps up, co-host Will Craft broke down legislation affecting the agency. MDOT Chief Engineer/Deputy Executive Director Brian Ratliff also joined the show to explain the upcoming I-20 WB/I-55 SB closure in Jackson.
As the 2022 legislative session wraps up, co-host Will Craft broke down legislation affecting the agency. MDOT Chief Engineer/Deputy Executive Director Brian Ratliff also joined the show to explain the upcoming I-20 WB/I-55 SB closure in Jackson.
- Show intro, previewing legislation talk with Will Craft and I-20 closure with Brian Ratliff - 00:16
- MDOT's Will Craft, Government and Constituent Affairs, provides updates on legislation affecting the agency - 00:53
- Update on the next iteration of the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 05:16
- Gas tax holiday update - 06:36
- Introducing MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff - 07:42
- Closure on I-20 westbound, I-55 southbound in Jackson to repair dip in roadway, what caused it? - 07:54
- Walkthrough of what the work will look like - 09:00
- What would happen if these repairs were not made? - 09:40
- Explanation of detour routes - 10:27
- Reiteration of the corridors that will be affected - 10:48
- Does all the recent rain play a factor in the repair? - 11:36
- How will the public be updated on the closure? - 12:35
- People need to give themselves more time when navigating the closure - 13:12
- SEC Squared, Mississippi State Personnel Board initiative - 13:38
- MDOT employee salaries top priority of Executive Director Brad White - 14:27
- Favorite place to stop and eat out when traveling on Mississippi highways - 15:38
- MDOT's The Extra Mile Podcast finalist for Government Social Media Conference podcast of the year - 17:26
- Will Craft shouts out MDOT's legislative team - 18:01
- Show outro - 18:49
Creators and Guests
Host
Paul Katool
Paul Katool joined the Mississippi Department of Transportation Public Affairs Division in 2016 as the agency’s first Social Media Strategist. In 2019, he was promoted to Digital Media Manager, where he led the creation of MDOT’s nationally award-winning Extra Mile Podcast. In 2022, Paul assumed the role of Deputy Director of Public Affairs, which includes helping to run the day-to-day operations of the division.
Host
Will Craft
Will Craft joined MDOT in 2018 after serving on Senator Thad Cochran’s and Senator Hyde Smith’s staffs. Beginning in the Government Affairs role at MDOT, Will assisted executive leadership in matters of policy, stakeholder engagement, legislative affairs, and external communications. Since joining the Public Affairs team in 2023, Will is most often recognized as one of the “podcast guys”. The Award Winning Extra Mile Podcast is hosted by Will and Paul Katool, and produced by Drew Hall.
Producer
Drew Hall
Drew Hall is a media producer with experience in video production and journalism. He currently works in the Public Affairs Division of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, where he shoots and edits a range of content, including producing the award-winning podcast The Extra Mile. Drew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi State University and has received industry recognition, including an AASHTO Best Audio Production Award. Previously, Drew worked as a photojournalist for News Channel 12 and Fox 40 News, developing his skills in visual storytelling and news production. Drew is married to Courtney Ann Hall, of Corinth, MS, and has one son, Jackson.