JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The city of Jackson and a global corporation have agreed to a $90 million deal that Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. has called the largest infrastructure project in the city's history.

The deal with Siemens still needs approval from the Mississippi Development Authority, but the contract signature clears the way for work to begin as soon as March on a package of water and sewer upgrades.

Siemens has guaranteed the work will pay for itself through savings and new revenue. It will replace broken equipment at the city's two water plants, install new meters, revamp the city billing system and repair sewer lines.

The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/WmTJJF ) that Jackson council members greeted the news with enthusiasm Wednesday after weeks of pressuring the administration to move forward.

Information from: The Clarion-Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com

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