Motorists traveling in the areas of Highway 11 and Broadway Drive may experience some slight inconveniences over the next few weeks as work begins on a significant paving project to improve those thoroughfares.
Officials from the City of Hattiesburg recently announced work had begun on the project, which will stretch down Highway 11/Broadway Drive, from Richburg Road to just west of 6th Avenue.
“That section of Highway 11 and Broadway Drive is under state maintenance, and it was on the regular maintenance schedule,” Mayor Toby Barker said. “The project went to bid under (the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s) maintenance plan late last year, and now we’re at the point where construction begins.”
The project began September 27 in the eastbound lane of Highway 11/Broadway Drive near Richburg Road, starting with milling. That process is expected to take several days, at which point paving will commence.
Workers will then make their way toward downtown Hattiesburg. That path will go down Highway 11/Broadway Drive past McInnis Loop, Alice Street, U.S. 49, Timothy Lane, Scooba Street and Royal Street before ending just west of 6th Avenue.
“I think construction will take about a month, given the fact that they’re going to have to mill everything down and pave multiple lanes,” Barker said.
Plans for the project include alternating lane closures, so as to keep traffic flowing throughout the process.
“That is certainly the word we’ve gotten from the contractor,” Barker said. “Obviously, things happen sometimes and adjustments have to be made, but as we get information from the contractor we will certainly pass it along to the public.
“I do think the tie-in to both the Lincoln Road paving and the Hall Avenue overpass project comes at a great time to pair with this project.”
Because the $1.9 million project is under the MDOT program, the City of Hattiesburg will not be responsible for footing the bill.
“While the city is not having to pay for this, we’re certainly glad the work is being done,” Barker said.
