Park map indicating temporary road closure and detour route/NPS

Needed road work begins next week at Vicksburg National Military Park to repair segments that have been impacted by slides, encountered issues with culverts, or need new guardrails. 

The repairs scheduled to begin February 1 are scheduled to be finished by July. This project will repair road segments that are currently open to the public. These repairs will not address closed sections of road nor increase visitor access. This work will provide much needed repairs on already open sections of roads to prevent further closures, according to park staff. 

“This is significant step in addressing much needed emergency repairs and moving the park towards a more sustainable road system,” said Superintendent Carrie Mardorf. 

Repairs will be made at two locations on Confederate Ave, three locations along Union Ave between the Memorial Arch and Ransom’s Gun Path, and five locations along Union Ave in the South Loop. The majority of the work will only require limited temporary closures for short periods of time, often just a few minutes to allow for movement of equipment. Flaggers will be present for traffic control.  

To accommodate work on Union Ave south of Ransom’s Gun Path, a detour will be in effect from February 7 to late April. There will be full closure for vehicles and pedestrians of Union Ave from the Shirley House to Graveyard Road. The public will still have access to the Shirley House, Illinois Memorial, and Third Louisiana Redan. Cars and buses will be able to drive down the gravel section of Jackson Road to Confederate Avenue. Confederate Avenue will be made two-way during the project. Visitors can turn right and follow Confederate Ave to Connecting Ave to reach the National Cemetery and the USS Cairo. Visitors will also be able to turn onto Graveyard Road from Confederate Rd and then follow Union Avenue to Grant Avenue to access Sherman Circle and the African American Monument. Visitors can then the return to Confederate Avenue via Graveyard Rd. 

You can find more information and updates about the project at this site.

The following areas are closed indefinitely: 

• Grant Avenue beyond the African America Monument including Grant Circle is closed to vehicles and pedestrians. 
• Union Avenue from Grant Avenue to the USS Cairo Museum is closed to vehicles and pedestrians. 
• Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to vehicles and the area within the chain link fence is closed to vehicles and pedestrians.