U.S. Sen. Trent Lott has signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation calling for a study of a proposed interstate from Augusta, Ga., to Natchez.

The bill, first introduced by Georgia Sens. Zell Miller and Saxby Chambliss, also calls for a report on the study by the end of the year.

U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering is co-sponsoring a companion bill in the House. &uot;Senators Miller and Chambliss, Congressman Pickering and I recognize the importance of roads to both public safety and job creation,&uot; Lott said. &uot;Just as building the new interstate, I-69, though the Mississippi Delta will provide economic momentum in that challenged region, I-14 will intersect another economically depressed area &045;&045; central Alabama.&uot;

I-14 would be named after the 14th amendment and would cross what is known as Alabama’s Black Belt, which is named for its rich soil but is the state’s poorest region.

But Lott noted the interstate would also benefit communities throughout Mississippi.

&uot;The Waynesboro, Laurel, Hattiesburg corridor along Highway 84 has tremendous potential for growth which I-14 could help bring, and the beautiful Natchez area yearns for interstate access and better transportation alternatives for industrial development, as well as for enhancing its already vibrant tourism economy,&uot; he said. &uot;This study is the first step in what I believe will be one of the most important regional transportation projects of our generation.&uot;

Three other new interstates have been proposed or are under construction in Mississippi: I-69 through the Delta; I-22 through northeast Mississippi to Birmingham, Ala.; and I-85 from Meridian to Montgomery.

&uot;Obviously, interstate projects are long-term endeavors,&uot; Lott said.

&uot;But when you look at the interstate proposals impacting our region, Mississippi is poised to see some of the most significant transportation investments and improvements we’ve experienced since the interstate system was built some 40 years ago.&uot;

Lott’s press secretary, Lee Youngblood, noted the senator had been successful in helping get the I-69 legislation through Congress.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Director Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown, a former Natchez mayor, said the interstate project would be important for Mississippi and for commerce and economic development.

He pointed out that the temporary closure of part of I-10 after Hurricane Ivan blew through Pensacola, Fla., added extra time &045;&045; and money &045;&045; to much of the truck traffic flowing through that area.

&uot;There are a lot of economic development opportunities&uot; along interstates, Brown said.