Traffic is about to get a lot worse on a busy stretch of US 49 in Gulfport. Here’s why

If your daily commute takes you near U.S. 49 at Interstate 10, you might want to plan a new route in a couple of weeks.

That’s because the U.S. 49 railroad crossing between I-10 and Creosote Road will soon be replaced.

And that will trigger key portions of heavily-traveled U.S. 49 to close during the work.

Northbound U.S. 49 lanes between Creosote and and the interstate will close at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, for up to seven days, immediately followed by the closure of the southbound lanes for up to five days.

During the southbound lane closure, the I-10 exit ramp for U.S. 49 also will be closed.

Finally, there will be a closure of both lanes to place new rails. The final closure will take about two days.

All work is expected to be complete no later than Nov. 5.

Kansas City Southern Railroad will perform the work to replace the railroad crossing, officials said.

This portion of Highway 49, near the outlet mall, hotels and retail businesses, draws several thousand cars each day, officials have said. Detour options include Mississippi 605 or Mississippi 67.

This story was originally published October 13, 2022 at 2:04 PM.