Series 2703: AHEAD administrative files. 1986, 1992-2007.
Dept. of Transportation (RG 55)

Series 2703: AHEAD administrative files. 1986, 1992-2007.
Dept. of Transportation (RG 55)

      AHEAD, or Advocating Highways for Economic Advancement and Development, was a citizen’s interest group formed in 1986 by prominent Mississippi businessmen to promote the passage of legislation to improve Mississippi’s highways after two decades of neglect. AHEAD was galvanized by the legislature’s refusal to fund the Highway Department in the 1985 legislative session. The group was initially spearheaded by Owen Cooper, founder and chairman of the Mississippi Chemical Corporation in Yazoo City, at the plea of then-Central District Highway Commissioner Sam Waggoner. AHEAD’s goal was to upgrade Mississippi’s roads by building a series of four lane highways in order to ensure that every Mississippian was no more than “30 miles or 30 minutes” from a four lane highway. Passage of the resulting bill, HB 1206, was secured in 1987 over the veto of Governor Bill Allain by a margin of one vote. The bill authorized the construction of 1,077 miles of four-lane highways over 14 years at an expected cost of $1.6 billion, with construction taking place in three phases. Ultimately, 1,088 miles of highways were built over 20 years at a cost of $3.5 billion. Construction was funded by a 3.6¢/gallon motor fuel excise tax, a $5 increase in the cost of car tags, federal aid, and the proceeds of revenue bonds. AHEAD chose not to disband after HB 1206 was passed in order to maintain a watchdog role over the bill’s implementation, especially given the project’s long time horizon. After the completion of road construction in 2007, AHEAD was formally disbanded and a final luncheon held to celebrate its achievements.

      Records are arranged alphabetically by file and include correspondence, annual reports, committee meeting agendas, AHEAD membership lists, copies of legislation, leadership nomination lists, luncheon invitations and photographs, an oversize metal buffalo nickel commemorating the slogan “A Nickel [tax on gasoline] Will Do It,” an oral history on CD recorded by Sam Waggoner through StoryCorps, and AHEAD’s official published history, titled AHEAD: From Grassroots Movement to Four-Lane Highway System in Mississippi.