Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, February 23, the City of Hattiesburg will begin paving Lincoln Road, between Highway 49 and South 40th Avenue. 

This stretch is approximately two miles. Milling will take place first, then paving. Contractors will begin work on the northern westbound lane at Highway 49, then they will work their way toward South 40th Avenue. The work will take place in one lane, moving in one direction at a time so that traffic can continue to flow (where possible). 

“We’re excited for the Lincoln Road paving project to begin,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “The process that comes along with a paving project on long stretches of busy roads can be an inconvenience, but it’s necessary as we continue to improve and plan for updates to our city’s infrastructure.”

The entirety of the project is anticipated to take between three and four weeks but is dependent on weather conditions. 

Barker added, “While our team and contractors are committed to keeping traffic flowing as well as it can, we ask for patience as residents traverse this side of Hattiesburg.”

The total cost for the project is $1.5 million and is funded by use tax revenue. 

Use tax revenue is generated through the Mississippi Infrastructure Modernization Act which was signed during a special legislative session in 2018. It diverts 35%, phased in over four years, of the 7% use tax for internet and out-of-state sales back to local governments for infrastructure improvements. 

Local disbursements for Hattiesburg began in 2020, and the funding generated has been allocated through large-scale paving projects along Weathersby Road, Old Hwy 42 (between Highway 49 and Bouie Street) and now, Lincoln Road. 

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