Three days of intermittent rainfall that began with the threat of a tropical storm this week have forced the City of Biloxi to postpone a traffic plan that was to begin Friday on Popp’s Ferry Road. However, work has begun on the project to widen the major thoroughfare.
The traffic plan — which involves making Popp’s Ferry one-way westbound between Cedar Lake Road and Jam Lane — may go into effect in one to two weeks.
This week’s rainfall, which continued Thursday afternoon, has prevented contractors from making repairs to concrete on Richard Drive and Jam Lane, roads that were to be used for eastbound traffic detoured off Popp’s Ferry.
“We can control a lot of things, but not the weather,” Mayor A.J. Holloway said. “And you can’t pour concrete in the rain. As soon as things clear up, we’re planning to implement the traffic plan so we can get this project moving.”
Despite the rainfall and delay in detouring traffic, some work has begun on the widening project, which was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. Workers are moving materials to the site and surveying land. Next week, roadside clearing and grubbing will begin.
The city had notified residents through postcards and the media that the traffic plan would begin Aug. 9, weather permitting. Residents will be notified well in advance before the plan is implemented.
The roadwork, a $3.8 million project to widen Popp’s Ferry Road to five lanes between Cedar Lake Road and Jam Lane, is part of a multi-million-dollar effort to improve the flow of traffic on Popp’s Ferry and adjoining thoroughfares. This phase of the project is expected to be completed within a year.
