What lessons can Morgantown residents take from the most recent twists and turns in the county’s efforts to widen and resurface the area’s major thoroughfare?

Nothing is guaranteed and much patience and persistence are necessary when it comes to relying on the government. Just when local drivers thought they would finally see improvements on Morgantown Road, county leaders revealed that the Mississippi Legislature had reallocated state aid money previously allocated for the project for bridge inspections. Cynics may point to the latest episode as another example of the government’s inability to work effectively and efficiently.

After nearly 20 years and thousands of dollars in project design and legal fees to use eminent domain to procure the easements necessary for the project, the project risks becoming another poster child for wasteful government spending. Residents also contributed to delays in the project, when the initial designs for Morgantown Road improvements were met with pushback from property owners. Even after the project was redesigned, some property owners fought the county’s effort to procure easements.

When a Morgantown resident asked supervisors when she could expect the road to be repaved, supervisors explained the situation and asked for patience.

“I realize it has been a long time, but I assure you we’re working on it as hard as we can,” Supervisor Ricky Gray said Tuesday.

Now county leaders are searching for a new revenue source for the project. Supervisors hope a new request presented to state legislators will be granted. Applications for road money have also been made in Washington, D.C. We take board members at their word when they say they are doing all they can to make sure the project succeeds.

We hope residents will not have to wait much longer for road work to start happening.