Gulfport’s U.S. 49 median wall draws backlash as pedestrian project targets fall completion

A median barrier and fencing are now in place along part of U.S. 49 in Gulfport, but the broader pedestrian-safety project remains under construction and has drawn criticism from city leaders, businesses and drivers.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation project covers U.S. 49 from Turkey Creek to just north of Creosote Road. It is designed to add a pedestrian walkway, designated crosswalks and a median barrier with fencing intended to improve pedestrian safety. The project was awarded for $14.5 million and is expected to be completed in fall 2026, according to MDOT and local reporting.

Barrier complete, pedestrian work continues

MDOT’s July 22 progress update said crews had completed construction of the median barrier and fencing. Work still remaining includes finalizing sidewalks, asphalt tie-ins, earthwork and grassing.

That means drivers and pedestrians can see the barrier before all of the planned walking routes and crossing improvements are finished. The corridor remains an active construction area while crews complete the remaining work.

MDOT’s fall 2026 completion date is an expected target, not a guaranteed deadline.

Why MDOT says the barrier is needed

MDOT’s project description connects the median barrier and fencing to designated pedestrian crossings and the planned walkway along U.S. 49. The design is intended to guide pedestrian movement and reduce unsafe crossings of the highway.

WLOX reported that a 2021 study of pedestrian traffic in the area documented 22 collisions between 2012 and 2019, including 18 injuries and five deaths. The study listed a median barrier among its recommendations.

The state’s safety rationale has not ended local concerns about the wall’s appearance, configuration or timing. Gulfport officials, businesses and drivers have questioned why the barrier was installed before the sidewalks and broader crossing improvements were complete.

Local officials raise appearance and timing concerns

Gulfport City Councilman Rusty Walker criticized the barrier’s appearance and questioned the timing of its installation, according to WLOX. Mayor Hugh Keating said the wall serves a safety purpose while acknowledging that it is not aesthetically pleasing.

Those objections have not produced an announced design change. WLOX reported that Southern District Transportation Commissioner Charles Busby said the current configuration does not have to be permanent, but Busby and Keating said possible changes would not be considered until the new sidewalks and improved crossings are complete.

That is a statement about a possible future review, not approval to remove, redesign or alter the wall.

What Gulfport residents should expect

Residents, commuters and businesses along U.S. 49 should expect construction activity to continue between Turkey Creek and the area just north of Creosote Road. The median barrier and fencing are complete, while the walkway or sidewalks, asphalt connections, earthwork and grassing remain pending.

The project’s stated purpose is pedestrian safety, but the full pedestrian system is not finished and no configuration change has been announced. For now, the current barrier remains part of the project as MDOT works toward its fall 2026 completion target.

Sources

• Mississippi Department of Transportation: MDOT projects make progress in southeast Mississippi
• WLOX: MDOT shares progress update for several South Mississippi infrastructure projects