Construction Impacts Traffic on U.S. 49 in Hattiesburg

News Summary

Construction along U.S. 49 in Hattiesburg is causing lane closures and altering traffic patterns as the Mississippi Department of Transportation works on safety enhancements. The project, which includes the installation of six directionalized medians, aims to reduce accidents by guiding drivers towards safer right turns. Local businesses express concern over declining customer traffic due to ongoing construction. Additionally, the Hall Avenue East overpass is set to open soon, aiming to relieve train crossing delays in downtown Hattiesburg. Meanwhile, congestion on I-59 continues due to accidents and construction.

Hattiesburg – Construction work underway along U.S. 49 is causing lane closures and altering traffic patterns in the area, as crews from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) work to enhance safety and efficiency. Currently, one lane of traffic has been shut down for several months as part of a project aimed at installing six “directionalized” medians along U.S. 49. Expected completion is set for mid-August 2025, aligning with the new school year for students at the University of Southern Mississippi, which lies adjacent to the construction site.

The medians will fundamentally change how driver movement is managed at key intersections, a crucial measure intended to reduce accidents by preventing motorists from crossing all four lanes of U.S. 49 at once. Instead, drivers will be directed to make right turns only, thereby minimizing potential side-angle and T-bone crashes.

The project, which is financially backed by a combination of federal and state funds totaling $2.1 million, has already drawn frustration from local residents like Lele Parker, who expressed concerns about the ongoing traffic clutter. Nearby businesses, such as the Harbor Bar & Grill, report a noticeable decline in customer traffic as construction progresses, generating mixed feelings among local stakeholders. Nonetheless, restaurant management remains hopeful for revitalized business once construction concludes.

Hall Avenue Overpasses

In addition to the U.S. 49 project, the Hall Avenue East overpass is set to open soon, following a formal ribbon-cutting event planned for Wednesday morning. This new overpass aims to eliminate delays caused by train crossings in downtown Hattiesburg. The planning for this essential infrastructure, which started in 2019, did encounter setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary increases. The west branch of the Hall Avenue overpass project ultimately cost $24 million, funded through use-tax revenue and federal grants.

The Hall Avenue East overpass, inaugurated in November, honors state representative Percy Watson, while the west overpass will bear the name of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker in recognition of his support and funding contributions. Representative Mike Ezell played a crucial role in securing the final $3 million needed to complete the overpass project.

The construction of these overpasses is anticipated to significantly enhance both traffic and emergency response times. Currently, there are 22 rail crossings in the downtown area that do not offer alternate routes when blocked, a condition that can endanger essential emergency services.

Traffic Conditions on I-59

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Additional Resources

• WDAM: US49 Construction Project Near USM Close to Completion
• Wikipedia: Traffic Management
• Hattiesburg American: New Hattiesburg Overpass Sidesteps Train Delays
• Google Search: Hattiesburg traffic construction
• WDAM: Crash Adds to Heavy Congestion I-59 North Hattiesburg
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
• WDAM: I-59 Traffic Snarled by Construction, Reported Wreck
• Google News: Hattiesburg construction projects