DeBuys, Eisenhower crossings to close for upgrades

CSX has notified the City of Biloxi that on Monday at 7 a.m. it will close the rail crossings at DeBuys Road and Eisenhower Drive in west Biloxi for as long as 48 hours in order to make storm-related repairs.

The work is part of the railway’s effort to restore sections of its Mississippi Gulf Coast railway that were damaged when Hurricane Katrina made landfall Aug. 29.

Motorists in Biloxi who typically use the DeBuys or Eisenhower crossings should use Beauvoir Road and U.S. 90 as alternate routes.

CSX is working from west to east on repairing major crossings in Biloxi. A schedule for closings and repairs at other crossings should be announced Monday, CSX told the city.

A limited number of freight trains is now running on part of the CSX line on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and a worker with Operation Lifesaver Mississippi said that as many as 17 trains a day could be running around Feb. 1, and a full complement of 35 trains a day could be using the line in mid-March.

The Operation Lifesaver spokesperson said the trains also would be moving at a reduced speed in order to help compact the repaired areas of the railway.

To learn more about Operation Lifesaver’s rail crossing safety programs, click here.

Traffic issues on ‘City Desk’ webcast

Sgt. Jackie Rhodes, the Biloxi Police Department’s public information officer, speaks to a number of traffic issues facing Biloxi motorists in this week’s “City Desk” program.

To hear the officer’s comments, and hear an update on other issues du jour in the webcast, click here.

Children’s walking parade set for Feb. 25

Biloxi will host its annual Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade on Saturday, Feb. 25.

To find out more about the parade and how your children can particiapte, click here.