Work begins on next phase of $7M South Mississippi project. Here are the details
Construction began this month on a second bicycle and pedestrian path in the Davis Bayou area, according to Gulf Islands National Seashore officials.
The 5-foot-wide path will run from the William M. Colmer Visitor Center to the intersection of Park Road and Robert McGhee Road. It’s part of a nearly $7 million, three-phase project spanning ten years, coordinated by Gulf Islands and the Federal Highway Administration.
“I’m excited about this project for sure,” Ocean Springs Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cox said. “It’s been in the works for a long time, and I’m glad to hear they’re moving forward with it.”
According to Gulf Islands Public Information Office Stephenie Sztendera, Park Road repairs are also part of phase two.
“There are some tree branches that have grown into the road,” Sztendera said. “If you drive along that portion of the road, you can feel it. They’ll take off the top layer of asphalt, even it out and put down a new layer of asphalt.”
During construction, traffic on Park Road is being diverted to Robert McGhee Road. According to Gulf Islands, all park facilities — including the Davis Bayou Campground, the visitor center, the Gulf Coast Research Lab and nearby residences — will remain accessible.
Phase one of the project, completed in September 2022, included new guardrails, fencing, erosion control upgrades and bike paths along the northern section of Park Road.
Phase three will involve road repairs on Robert McGhee Road and more pedestrian and bike pathways.
Cox said he hopes the construction will allow organizations like the Ocean Springs High School track team to return to practicing in the area.
“Our high school track team used to run there but it just got so dangerous because of the traffic and the narrow roads,” Cox said. “Hopefully with them doing this pedestrian pathway and bicycle path along the road, it’s going to allow some of that to continue.”
