The new Lorraine Road bridge, 10 times longer than the old bridge and twice as wide, opens Friday, months ahead of schedule, and Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says it’s the bridge to the future.
The $7.5 million bridge, which crosses the Biloxi River and connects Biloxi and Gulfport, was funded by the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Office of State Aid Road Construction, with matching funding provided by Biloxi, Harrison County and Gulfport.
“This is an excellent example of cooperation between the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport and Harrison County, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the principal funding through the MDOT,” Gilich said. “I’ve only been mayor for a little over a year, and this project has certainly been in the works for many years, so I want to say thank you to those who have worked so hard to make this bridge a reality.”
Motorists have had to endure a detour route that involves Mississippi 605 or Interstate 10 for the past six months.
The new bridge, at 3,060 feet, replaces a 300-foot bridge that required a sharp turn for motorists.
The bridge work was originally scheduled to be completed by October.
Area legislators, state Department of Transportation representatives, county officials and Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will attend a bridge-opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
To see images of the bridge
News and notes
Natatorium without power: The Biloxi Natatorium, 1384 Father Ryan Ave., will be without power Thursday morning from 7:30 to 10:30 so that electricity can be turned on at the adjoining building now under construction. Details: 228-435-6205.
Playground ribbon cutting: The Parks and Recreation Department will hold a ribbon cutting on Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. for its newest playground. To see the flyer, click here.
Scrapin’ and Irish Hill: Biloxi Public Works Acting Director Billy Ray Allen reports that Irish Hill Drive, where gas company contractors have caused detours for weeks, will be completely open for traffic this weekend to help accommodate increased traffic expected in town for Scrapin’ the Coast. To see the Scrapin’ the Coast website, click here.
Peek inside Margaritaville: If social media is any indication, Margarativille is going to be a runaway success. That “Peek inside Margaritaville” gallery posted Tuesday on the city’s Facebook page has gone viral. As of 4:30 today: it’s been shared nearly 10,000 times, creating nearly 700,000 clicks, with nearly 2,000 comments and 2,000 reactions. And the Margaritaville folks today announced the family-oriented resort opens Thursday at — you guessed it — 5 o’clock. Jimmy would be so proud. To be a part of the hubbub, click here.
