TUPELO - The federal government lifted a hurdle for the city's northern loop project Wednesday with the announcement of a FONSI.

Pronounced like the ultra-cool "Happy Days" character Fonzie, a FONSI stands for Finding Of No Significant Impact.

And like the Fonz, it's a thumbs up. It means Tupelo's Major Thoroughfare Committee can proceed with its plans to build the road - at least where it crosses the Natchez Trace Parkway.

The announcement from the National Park Service capped a massive environmental assessment of the city's proposed street and its crossing of the Trace.

"The analysis resulted in selection of the environmentally preferred alternative, consisting of construction of a bridge over National Park Service lands," according to the announcement.

"The NPS concluded that this alternative best balances the needs of the traveling public and the resources of the Natchez Trace."

Tupelo still awaits a similar finding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation concerning the new road's intersection with U.S. Highway 78. That finding should come within a week, said committee Chairman Greg Pirkle.

"We have had no indication there will be problem" with that finding, Pirkle said.

The northern loop extends Coley Road north from its current terminus at McCullough Boulevard and takes it west over Highway 78 and the Trace until it connects with Barnes Crossing Road.

In all, the 4.5-mile project will cost some $20 million, with several million coming from state and federal sources.

Construction already has begun in the area nearest McCullough.

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.