Travelers coming to Vicksburg on the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 20 will soon receive a greeting from the city.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Wednesday approved an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Development for a permit to install “Welcome to Vicksburg” signs on I-20 westbound at the Clay Street exit and just before the Halls Ferry exit traveling eastbound.

The project is being funded through State Tourism Bond money awarded to the city in 2016.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to do for the last three or four years,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “We finally got permission to do it. We’ve got everything worked out; we had to get an easement, so we’re good to go. We’re in the process of constructing them.

“It’s my understanding that this is the first time in the history of our city that Vicksburg welcome signs will be located alongside one of the nation’s most-traveled thoroughfares,” Flaggs said. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without my positive working relationship with state government and we’re grateful for their support of Vicksburg.”

The MDOT permits clear the way to place the 10-by-20-foot signs on the Mississippi Department of Transportation right-of-way along the interstate.

The work includes installing lighting and flag poles on each side of both signs. The majority of the work for this project will be completed by city employees, with the exception of the installation of the signs.

After the signs have been installed, the city will be responsible for the maintenance of each sign and the landscaping around the signs.

“We chose a simple design for the signage that mirrors Visit Vicksburg’s newly-installed banners found on light poles throughout Vicksburg,” Flaggs said. “Our goal was to collaborate with Visit Vicksburg to enhance our visitor experience through continuity of branding. I believe these signs will serve as a great point of arrival for one of the most progressive cities in the State of Mississippi.”