Hattiesburg, Mississippi – The City of Hattiesburg has begun construction on a major infrastructure and drainage improvement project in the area of West 7th Street, Grace Avenue and North 25th Avenue, aimed at reducing flash flooding and improving safety for motorists and nearby properties.

The area near the Highway 49 underpass on West 7th Street has long experienced recurring flash flooding during heavy rain events. This project is designed to mitigate those issues through upgraded stormwater management systems.

“This project represents the kind of strategic investment needed to solve long-standing problems,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “It’s about more than addressing flooding, it’s about building a stronger, safer infrastructure for the future of Hattiesburg.”

In addition to drainage improvements, the project includes curb, gutter and sidewalk upgrades to improve pedestrian safety and walkability. The work also involves the replacement of aging water and sewer lines to modernize underground utilities.

The total cost of the project is $4.62 million, funded by $2.1 million from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure (MCWI) Program, $2.1 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation and approximately $500,000 from local water and sewer capital funds.

This project is part of a broader citywide effort to address flash flooding, which includes the construction of detention ponds off Lincoln Road and on the University of Southern Mississippi campus.

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