Elvis Presley Birthdplace Trail: Let the Bidding Begin

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – The city of Tupelo will accept bids through May 29 for a project that officials say will connect the cultural roots of Tupelo with its downtown.

The Federal Highway Administration and Mississippi Department of Transportation recently gave the city approval to seek bids for the Elvis Presley Birthplace Trail project.

The project includes construction of overlay, roadway and bridge widening, curb, sidewalk, striping and traffic signalization from Green Street in downtown Tupelo to the Presley museum.

Mayor Jason Shelton says the project will enhance tourism by connecting Downtown Tupelo to the Birthplace for pedestrians and increasing recreational space for runners and bikers.

Presley was born in Tupelo on Jan. 8, 1935, and moved to Memphis with his parents at age 13. He was 42 when he died Aug. 16, 1977.