A $4.6 million multi-phase construction project is set to begin on Highway 49 in Hattiesburg
A multi-phased traffic construction project to improve access to Forrest General Hospital on a stretch of Highway 49 will begin in late February.
The $4.65 million project, in the works since 2011, is also intended to alleviate traffic congestion as Hattiesburg's growth and development continues.
"There's a reason this concept was thought of over a decade ago," Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker said. "FGH and Hattiesburg Clinic, two of the largest health care employers and providers in the state, they have an opportunity to take their offerings to new heights over the next few years."
The project will:
Expand access to Forrest General Hospital by shifting the Highway 49 and Mamie Street traffic signal to Camp Street
Install an additional traffic signal at Highway 49 and West Adeline Street
Improve traffic circulation on Arlington Loop and provide a more efficient route to midtown from Highway 49
Create a pedestrian and bicycle pathway from Kamper Park to midtown
Development continues at a rapid pace in midtown Hattiesburg and infrastructure improvements must be elevated to keep up, said Chad Newell, president of the Area Development Partnership in Hattiesburg.
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The project is being paid for with a $2.5 million grant from the Mississippi Development Authority and about $1 million each from Hattiesburg and Forrest General Hospital coffers. The estimated completion date is late 2023, dependent on weather.
Jeff Cook, vice president at FGH, said it is important to think about how to improve pedestrian and vehicular access around the community as the city continues to grow.
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In anticipation of growth of FGH, planning for the project began in 2011 with an eye on addressing the need for easier access to the hospital from Highway 49 and for better traffic circulation to, through and away from the facility.
Water and sewer was upgraded on Camp Street in 2018. In 2019, Camp Street was made one way in 2019.
"I just want to ask that the citizens be patient with us during this construction time, follow signage, … and just know in the end that when construction is complete, the heath care services of our community will be better served," David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors said.
How will construction impact traffic?
The project will consist of seven phases. Phase one is estimated to take four to six months.
During phase one, the following changes will be made for the general flow of traffic:
27th Avenue will be closed north of Camp Street.
West Frontage Road will be closed between north of Camp Street and Mamie Street. Access to Community Bank will remain open throughout the duration of construction.
All southbound traffic south of Camp Street on West Frontage Road will be directed to Highway 49 or South 28th Avenue.
Mamie Street will be closed from South 28th Avenue to the entrance of the FGH staff parking lot. South of this closure will remain open to traffic.
Camp Street will be closed from Highway 49 to South 28th Avenue. Camp Street east of Highway 49 will remain open.
To access the FGH Emergency Department:
From Highway 49: North and southbound traffic will continue to use Mamie Street.
From 28th Avenue: Traffic will use a temporary roadway across the FGH staff parking lot between South 28th Avenue and Mamie Street.
To view details on each project phase and for future updates, visit hattiesburgms.com/hwy49/.
Contact reporter Laurel Thrailkill at lthrailkill@gannett.com or on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Highway 49 construction project: Access to Forrest General Hospital
