Driving down University Avenue, you may have noticed new “Road Work” signs popping up. The project underway is the creation of a new intersection, likely a roundabout, at the Highway 7 and University Avenue interchange—a spot many will agree is notoriously problematic. Traffic often backs up as drivers attempt to navigate between Highway 7 and University Avenue, crossing busy oncoming lanes.

At a recent Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Robyn Tannehill mentioned the appearance of the signs and warned that people may soon be frustrated with the traffic disruptions expected to last over a year. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is handling the project, which was initiated at the city’s request. Local leaders successfully lobbied state and federal lawmakers for grant funding to improve the interchange. The city and county are contributing $1 million each, while MDOT will cover what the state and federal funds do not.

It’s a significant project. The entire interchange will be redesigned with the goal of making the area safer for residents and visitors. As Mayor Tannehill put it, “Progress is a pain.”

This isn’t the first time Oxford has faced roadwork challenges. Over the summer, portions of West Jackson Avenue, including Home Depot Drive, were repaved. The work was done during the quieter summer months when students were mostly away and schools were out. However, Oxford’s population of nearly 30,000 residents—and about 50,000 in the county—doesn’t take into account the steady flow of summer visitors. Whether people are here for mTrade tournaments, enjoying Sardis Lake, or touring the university campus, Oxford remains fairly busy even in the summer, albeit less so than during the academic year.

As a result, traffic jams occurred, and some people were unhappy. Photos of the congestion made the rounds on social media, accompanied by complaints about the timing of the work. However, summer is generally the best time for road construction—there’s less traffic compared to the school year.

As for the Highway 7 and University Avenue project, expect it to take around a year to 18 months to complete. In the meantime, we’ll need to be patient, navigate traffic delays, and consider alternative routes. But once the project is done, we’ll be able to move through the interchange more smoothly—and, more importantly, more safely.