Construction of a new skilled nursing facility on will cause Cooper Road to be closed on May 13 while city personnel connect necessary utilities.

City of Picayune Public Works Director Eric Morris said the work will begin that morning at 8 and is planned to conclude the same day at 5 p.m.

Residents living on Timberwood Lane, in the Garden District and Millbrook Subdivision will be rerouted to Hide-A-Way Lake’s south gate.

“It’s no fun having to do this, but because of the location and having to do the tie-ins we will be working in the north bound lane,” Morris said.

To let traffic come and go while city personnel connect the new facility to the city’s gas and water services city of Picayune has established an agreement with Hide-A-Way Lake to allow affected residents utilize the gated subdivision’s south gate at the end of Cooper Road.

Affected residents will be using East Lakeshore in the gated community to get access to U.S. 11.

Everyone is asked to abide by the 25 mile per hour speed limit.

Hide-A-Way Lake guards will be directing motorists who look lost as they pass through the subdivision.

They will also be present to ensure traffic laws are abided by, Morris said.

To ensure everyone affected by the detour is aware of the work, Morris said the city is passing out flyers, issuing notices on the city’s Facebook page and issuing alerts via the city manager’s newsletter.

Signs will also be placed along Cooper Road days in advance to spread the word.

“We’re just trying to put something in front of their eyeballs as they’re coming down Cooper Road,” Morris said.

Morris commends Hide-A-Way Lake for their cooperation in order to complete this work.

City personnel will perform preliminary cuts into the asphalt the day before to expedite the process, Morris said.