The Extra Mile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

State Route 15 Safety Improvement Project in Laurel Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

MDOT District 6 Engineer Kelly Castleberry joined The Extra Mile podcast to give an overview of the proposed State Route 15 Safety Improvement Project in Laurel.

Show intro, introducing MDOT District 6 Engineer Kelly Castleberry - 00:28
An overview of the State Route 15 Safety Improvement Project in Laurel from Kelly Castleberry - 01:07
Third-most accident prone corridor in the state and other statistics - 02:03
Reading out statistics that back up why this project needs to be done - 02:45
Highways with center turn lane outdated? - 03:38
On similar projects around the state such as State Route 12 in Starkville - 04:57
Next step in the State Route 15 Safety Improvement Project in Laurel? - 06:39
Timeline of construction - 07:23
Reiterating that safety is the reason for the project - 08:27
Final message to the public on the State Route 15 Safety Improvement Project - 08:38
Show outro - 09:33

Former Governor Haley Barbour Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Former Governor Haley Barbour joined The Extra Mile podcast to talk about his political career, Hurricane Katrina recovery stories, the link between transportation infrastructure and economic development, tort reform and more.

Show intro, introducing former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour - 00:31
More information on Governor Barbour's career including why he ran for office - 01:00
On memorable Hurricane Katrina stories, which happened during Gov. Barbour's administration - 04:30
MDOT crews as first responders during disasters like Hurricane Katrina - 08:38
On the debris left by Hurricane Katrina - 11:42
On Marsha Barbour's (Governor's wife) role in Hurricane Katrina recovery - 12:29
The late Senator Thad Cochran's role in helping Mississippi get what it needed post Katrina - 15:43
Importance of having a strong transportation infrastructure network - 17:45
Signature legislation or policies during governorship - 20:21:16
On the lost art of bipartisanship - 22:36
Governor Barbour on MDOT Executive Director Brad White - 27:40
Favorite place to get a bite to eat when out on Mississippi highways - 28:13
What is Governor Barbour up to these days? - 29:23
Show outro - 30:30

MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff joined The Extra Mile podcast to recap the Hwy 49 project in Rankin County, provide an update on copper wire theft prevention efforts, give info on projects around the state and more.

Show intro, introducing MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff - 00:30
Recapping and putting a bow on the Highway 49 project in Rankin County - 01:28
On being patient when it comes to construction projects, being worth it in the end - 03:21
Wrapping up the Interstate 20 bridge replacement project in Jackson - 04:37
Other project updates in the state including Corridor V in Itawamba County - 05:38
The results of extra money appropriated to MDOT by the Mississippi Legislature - 07:03
On how inflation has affected maintenance and construction projects - 07:48
Efforts of MDOT crews during recent flooding and severe weather - 08:50
Update on copper wire thefts on interstates in Jackson - 12:50
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi highways - 13:46
First car and dream car - 14:49
Update on SEC Squared, pay adjustments for MDOT employees - 15:39
Show outro - 17:59

Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

The Extra Mile podcast team talked to Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development, about how MDOT and Louisiana DOTD work together, hurricanes and contraflow protocol, the best places to eat in Louisiana and more.

Show intro - 00:31
Background on Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development - 01:04
What's the "Development" portion of the "Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development" mean? - 04:29
How do MDOT and Louisiana DOT work together? - 06:50
What happens when a major hurricane strikes the area, info on Contraflow? - 10:34
Why Dr. Shawn Wilson believes it's important to have a robust, safe, efficient transportation network - 13:08
Unique challenges of traffic during college football season with LSU and Southern University both in Baton Rouge - 14:42
How can Mississippians get traffic/travel information when visiting Louisiana? - 16:31
Dr. Wilson's favorite place to get a bite to eat in Louisiana - 17:40
Show outro - 19:03

State Senator Jenifer Branning and State Representative Scott Bounds at NCF 2022 Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

State Senator Jenifer Branning and State Representative Scott Bounds joined The Extra Mile podcast on location at the Neshoba County Fair. Senator Branning and Representative Bounds shared stories about the fair, discussed transportation-related topics and much more.

Show intro - 00:27
State Representative Scott Bounds on his new role as President of the Neshoba County Fair - 01:24
Rep. Bounds gives history and synopsis of the Neshoba County Fair - 03:14
Rep. Bounds on the political element of the Neshoba County Fair - 06:05
Rep. Bounds on the logistics of the fair - 07:02
Rep. Bounds on the attendance of the Neshoba County Fair - 08:56
Rep. Bounds on the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 11:00
Rep. Bounds favorite place meal at the Neshoba County Fair - 12:12
Wrapping things up with Rep. Bounds - 13:26
Commercial break: MDOT Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons soundbite from Neshoba County Fair speech - 13:54
Introducing State Senator Jenifer Branning - 14:58
Sen. Branning on how she's enjoying the fair - 15:38
Sen. Branning highlighting the past legislative session for MDOT - 16:02
Sen. Branning on preparations being made for the next legislative session - 17:30
Sen. Branning on her favorite memories from the Neshoba County Fair - 18:11
Sen. Branning on projects in her area she's keeping an eye on, Hwy 19 in Neshoba County - 20:38
Sen. Branning on the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 21:42
Sen. Branning on how she works with Rep. Bounds to advance the best interests of the district - 22:49
Sen. Branning on her favorite food at the Neshoba County Fair - 24:13
Show outro - 25:44

Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove joined the show to talk about his personal connection to MDOT, his most memorable accomplishments as governor, what he’s up to these days and more.

Show intro - 00:29
Information on Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove, background on why he ran for governor - 1:01
Governor Musgrove's connection to the old Mississippi Highway Department, now MDOT - 03:06
How Governor Musgrove worked with MDOT to advance transportation interests - 05:54
Story about vetoing initial contraflow legislation and reworking the pact between Mississippi and Louisiana - 07:53
PSA: Former MDOT Central District Commissioner Dick Hall on work zone safety - 11:19
Governor Musgrove's greatest accomplishment as governor - 12:02
What's the key to running an entire state? - 16:49
What is Governor Musgrove up to these day? - 19:31
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling around Mississippi - 22:12
Show outro - 23:50

Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration Nuria Fernandez Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Nuria Fernandez, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, joined The Extra Mile podcast to talk about a $650,000 rural transportation grant for Claiborne County, give an overview of the FTA, talk about the importance of public transportation and more.

Show intro - 00:29
More on $650,000 rural transportation grant (Areas of Persistent Poverty Program) for Claiborne County - 01:04
Why Claiborne County for this grant? - 02:00
Background information on Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration Nuria Fernandez -02:33
Administrator Fernandez on the emotional testimonial of a public transit user in Claiborne County - 04:55
Overview of the Federal Transportation Administration from Administrator Fernandez - 05:45
On Administrator Fernandez's first trip to Mississippi - 07:42
On Administrator Fernandez and her staff getting boots on the ground to work in communities - 08:17
Where did Administrator Fernandez get a bite to eat the night before the grant presentation? - 09:18
Any last message from the Federal Transit Administration to Mississippians - 10:17
Show outro - 11:19

Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

The Extra Mile team took the show on the road to talk to Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker in city hall. He discussed his path to being elected mayor, working with MDOT to accomplish transportation infrastructure goals, the explosion of growth in the Hub City and more.

Show intro - 00:28
Background and how Mayor Barker made it to Hattiesburg - 01:33
What led him to run for Mayor of Hattiesburg after 10 years in the Mississippi House or Representatives - 02:34
How does the City of Hattiesburg work with MDOT to accomplish transportation infrastructure goals - 04:05
Fun story of how Mayor Barker met MDOT Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King - 04:37
Transportation projects going on in the City of Hattiesburg - 06:50
Unique considerations to be made when planning transportation with two university in the city (Southern Miss and William Carey) - 11:46
What does Mayor Hattiesburg attribute the explosion of growth in the city to? - 13:24
Impact of Longleaf Trace on the Hattiesburg economy - 15:19
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker's favorite place to eat when out traveling on Mississippi highways - 17:36
Star-Spangled Celebration on the River, Fourth of July collaboration between Hattiesburg and Petal - 18:50
Show outro - 20:33

MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

The Extra Mile podcast was on location at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney joined the show to discuss his background, hurricane preparedness, the various responsibilities of MEMA and more.

Show intro - 00:30
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Stephen McCraney on his background and experience - 01:30
Overview of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency - 03:21
On MDOT's role during hurricane season - 08:26
MEMA's Radiation Preparedness Program - 09:32
How can the public stay in the loop during emergencies? - 10:11
On MEMA's emergency response vehicles - 11:38
On how contraflow works - 12:47
What should Mississippians do to prepare for disasters? - 15:00
More on "The First 72 Hours Are On You" - 17:19
What not to do during a disaster? - 19:11
On avoiding downed power lines - 21:15
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling on Mississippi highways? - 21:05
Show outro - 23:59

Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey May 23, 2022

Show notes

Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey joined the show to discuss his career as an editorial cartoonist, give his thoughts on covering MDOT, talk about his favorite places to grab a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi highways and more.

Show intro - 00:29
Introducing Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey - 00:52
Background, why did Marshall Ramsey decide to be an editorial cartoonist? - 01:40M
Marshall Ramsey on his creative process - 03:33
Marshall Ramsey on overcoming creative block - 05:19
On the balance between fact-based journalism and humor - 06:40
On covering MDOT and any memories from covering the agency - 08:10
Hwy 49 cartoon and Marshall Ramsey's thoughts on the project - 09:36
Favorite cartoons over the years - 11:20
On Marshall Ramsey's radio show on Mississippi Public Radio, interview series for Mississippi Today - 15:06
Interview tips for The Extra Mile podcast crew - 16:05
On the importance of having a safe, efficient transportation network in Mississippi - 19:07
Favorite place for Marshall Ramsey to get a bite to eat when out traveling on Mississippi highways - 23:00
Show outro - 25:35

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