HATTIESBURG, MS
Three-Phased Project Adds Two Railroad Overpasses and a Roundabout, Dramatically Transforming Busy Corridor
Neel-Schaffer was selected to serve as the Engineer of Record (EOR) for a three-phase project that dramatically transformed the Hall Avenue Corridor in Hattiesburg, MS, by adding two railroad overpasses and a roundabout.
As the EOR, Neel-Schaffer provided complete civil engineering design services and is providing construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services during each phase.
Construction on Hall Avenue East began in Spring 2022 and was completed in late Spring 2024. The Hall Avenue Roundabout construction began in Fall 2022 and was completed in late Winter 2024. Hall Avenue West Phase II began in Spring 2023 and is expected to be completed by early Spring 2025.
The total cost of this project was nearly $41 million: $14.1 million for Hall Avenue East, $2.4 million for the roundabout, and $24.3 million for Hall Avenue West.
The project eliminated two busy at-grade railroad crossings and provides better access to the new Hattiesburg Safety Complex, a $26.5 million facility that includes the new Hattiesburg Police Department and a new Municipal Courthouse.
Neel-Schaffer worked with the City of Hattiesburg for several years to develop this transformational project. The firm helped secure funding, conducted public outreach, and created numerous alternative layouts, renderings, and video presentations showcasing potential improvements.
Each of the railroad overpasses included retaining walls, constructed from pre-cast modular concrete blocks. The Hall East overpass retaining wall is 27,000 square feet, and the Hall West overpass retaining wall is 19,500 square feet. The Hall East overpass consists of five prestressed concrete spans supported by pipe pile foundations. Other construction features include reconstruction of existing roadway, new roadway construction, retention ponds, drainage improvements, sewer replacement, and construction of a multi-use pathway.
Although the contractor is responsible for Materials Testing on the project, Neel-Schaffer ensures the testing is performed adequately while also inspecting and documenting all work on the project. Neel-Schaffer also assists the City of Hattiesburg with utility relocation when unforeseen circumstances are discovered during construction.
Having an office in Hattiesburg near the project allows our firm to respond quickly when issues arise during construction.
Neel-Schaffer’s team also provides the expertise to quickly make grade adjustments to adhere to ADA requirements while keeping the project on schedule.
In addition to the overpasses and roundabout, improvements included new landscaped medians, sidewalks, and lighting. At the intersection where Hall Avenue West connects with Pine Street, enhancements were made to widen the roadway and add new turn lanes and traffic signals.
