Traffic project near Forrest General Hospital underway. Here's how it will impact traffic

Laurel Thrailkill, Hattiesburg American
·2 min read

A multimillion-dollar traffic project designed to improve access to Forrest General Hospital on a stretch of U.S. 49 is underway, and part of Mamie Street has been closed.

The project is comprised of seven phases.

Signs and construction crews restrict some access to the emergency room at Forrest County General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss., Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
Signs and construction crews restrict some access to the emergency room at Forrest County General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss., Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

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 U.S. 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 U.S. 49 to South 28th Avenue. Camp Street east of U.S. 49 will remain open.

Phase one is expected to take four to six months depending on weather. Hattiesburg resident Sinclair Lundy said the changes don't bother her at all, while some residents found the changes inconvenient.

"It’s a I’m at the bank where all of the construction is taking place and it’s going to get more congested over time, but I look forward to seeing the results," Lennie Schilling said.

FGH began planning for the $4.65 million project in 2011. Water and sewer were upgraded on Camp Street in 2018. In 2019, Camp Street was made one way in 2019. The estimated completion date is late 2023.

The project will:

  • Expand access to Forrest General Hospital by shifting the U.S. 49 and Mamie Street traffic signal to Camp Street

  • Install an additional traffic signal at U.S. 49 and West Adeline Street

  • Improve traffic circulation on Arlington Loop and provide a more efficient route to midtown from U.S. 49

  • Create a pedestrian and bicycle pathway from Kamper Park to midtown

To access the FGH Emergency Department

  • From U.S. 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/.

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Contact reporter Laurel Thrailkill at lthrailkill@gannett.com or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Forrest General Hospital traffic project underway, roads begin to close