9 November 2026
HATTIESBURG, MS – One of the busiest bridges in the Pine Belt will shut down for a whole weekend this week.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation plans to close the U.S. 98 (Hardy Street) bridge over Interstate 59 in both directions from 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, until 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, according to an MDOT traffic alert. The bridge sits in Lamar County on the west side of Hattiesburg, between 40th Avenue and Westover Drive.
Here is the short answer. Expect lane closures on the bridge Thursday and Friday. Then the bridge closes fully for about 57 hours, Friday night through early Monday. Crews will do bridge repair and maintenance, and MDOT says detour signs will be posted.
When exactly will the Hardy Street bridge close?
The work comes in two steps, the alert says. First, drivers should expect lane closures on the bridge on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13.
Next comes the full closure. Both directions of U.S. 98 over I-59 close at 7 p.m. Friday. The road is set to reopen at 4 a.m. Monday. MDOT says crews will work through the weekend to finish the scheduled structural maintenance.
The alert lists the reason as “Road Work- Bridge Repair / Inspection.” It does not describe the specific repairs.
What is the detour?
MDOT says detour signs will be in place. The alert does not name the detour route. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details on the official detour from MDOT, along with whether the I-59 ramps at U.S. 98 will stay open during the closure.
Until MDOT posts the route, drivers who normally cross I-59 on Hardy Street should plan extra time. Watch for the orange detour signs, and check MDOTtraffic.com before you leave.
How busy is this bridge?
Very busy. Federal bridge records list average daily traffic of about 64,000 vehicles on the U.S. 98 bridge over I-59, according to FHWA National Bridge Inventory data published by BridgeCondition.com. The listing does not show what year that count was taken.
The same federal data say the bridge was built in 1992. It is about 372 feet long and made of prestressed concrete. Its deck, superstructure and substructure are each rated 7, or “good,” on the federal scale.
That good rating matters. The alert describes this as scheduled maintenance, and nothing in it points to an emergency. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details from MDOT on what work is planned and what it costs.
Who will feel the closure most?
Hardy Street is one of the main routes between west Lamar County and Hattiesburg. This closure covers a full weekend, so anyone who crosses I-59 there should plan ahead.
Football fans should also plan ahead. Oak Grove hosts Biloxi on Friday, Nov. 13, in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, according to High School On SI. The full closure begins at 7 p.m. that night. Fans who usually cross I-59 on Hardy Street to reach the game may need another route.
Emergency crews will also have to work around the closure. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details from Lamar County Emergency Management on how fire, ambulance and law enforcement calls will be routed that weekend.
Is this part of other road work in the area?
The alert does not tie this job to other projects. MDOT has several jobs going across the Pine Belt, including a $66.7 million I-59 safety project in Forrest and Jones counties. Pine Belt Guide covered those projects in October in “I-59, U.S. 98 road work: What Pine Belt drivers should know.”
Weather or other problems can change road work plans. Pine Belt Guide will update this story if MDOT changes the dates or posts a detour.
FAQ
When does the U.S. 98 bridge over I-59 close?
From 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, to 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in both directions, MDOT says.
Will there be lane closures before that?
Yes. MDOT says to expect lane closures on the bridge Nov. 12 and 13.
Why is it closing?
For scheduled bridge repair and structural maintenance, according to the MDOT alert.
Is there a detour?
MDOT says detour signs will be posted. The route had not been published as of Monday morning.
Where can I check road conditions?
At MDOTtraffic.com.