SALTILLO - The city of Saltillo has created its own version of Tupelo's successful Major Thoroughfare Program and will ask residents to vote on a millage increase to fund it.

Called the Saltillo Transportation Enhancement Program - or STEP - the effort will study the community's current road network and recommend improvements that will bolster growth and economic development.

The city's Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted the program on Nov. 1 and will appoint a committee of 12 volunteer residents to oversee it. Those appointed will propose a series of transportation improvements funded by a special tax levy, the amount of which hasn't yet been determined.

Residents will vote to approve or reject the levy during a special election to be held before Aug. 1, said City Clerk Mary Parker.

"It all hinges on whether or not citizens fund it with a tax increase," said Mayor Bill Williams. "If they vote no, the committee will be dissolved."

Williams said the program was modeled after Tupelo's Major Thoroughfare Program, which for the past two decades has used a 10-mill tax to improve the city's existing roads, as well as build new ones. Since its debut, the MTP has widened Gloster and Main streets and created a five-lane loop around the city to ease traffic congestion and spur commercial development.

Residents have overwhelmingly voted to renew the program during a special election, which is held every five years.

Williams said he hopes to unveil a series of recommendations from the new group by late winter or early spring.

"Our mission is to assess the transportation needs of the community, analyze traffic patterns and the growth path and make recommendations," he said.

emily.lecoz@journalinc.com