The reconstruction of Back Bay Boulevard has begun.
The four-lane, mile-long boulevard that connects Oak Street with I-110 has been a dusty, unkempt four-lane trail since August of last year when Oscar Renda Contracting says design flaws halted work on the roadway.
Today, however, with new sewer and drainage pipes in place, workers have begun work at the east end of Back Bay Boulevard, at Oak Street, removing the top two-feet of “rotten ground” and moving westward, toward the Old Brick House and Boomtown Casino, at the west end of Back Bay Boulevard.
“We’re actually taking up two feet all across the four lanes, as wide as 65 to 80 feet in some places,” said Joel Murrah, project manager of the $118 million infrastructure work that has been underway since 2014 in east Biloxi.
“As we remove the rotten ground, we’re adding Geogrid, which is a material that comes in a roll, that is laid down to help stabilize the soil. It forms a barrier and then we add the limestome, which will be followed by paving.”
Murrah said workers should complete the limestone work in 45 to 60 days, a precursor to paving. Limestone, by the way, arrived by barge only this weekend.
At the west end of Back Bay Boulevard, near the old Brick House, workers were removing old water mains and activating the new ones.
And good news for those who previously traveled Back Bay Boulevard: The approaches to the three bridges, which had been sinking for years, will be gone thanks to the new subsurface.
See photos from Back Bay Boulevard today
See the Oscar Renda video update
Free immunization fair set for school-age children
Biloxi Excel by 5 is looking to help parents who may have to take their children to Gulfport or Pascagoula to get state-required immunization shots since the health department office in Biloxi has closed.
Beginning on July 23, the Biloxi Excel by 5, along with a host of sponsors, will present the Biloxi Excel by 5 Immunization Fair at the Coastal Family Health Center located at 735 Division Street in Biloxi.
Vaccines will be given from 8 a.m. to noon at no out-of-pocket expense, but parents and guardians must bring their insurance card, a photo ID and their child’s shot record in order for their child to receive the necessary shots.
The fair will allow for the vaccinations to be obtained at a more opportune time and location due to the closing of the Biloxi branch of the Harrison County Health Clinic last year.
The fair will continue the next week at Lopez Elementary School, 140 St. John Ave., on Monday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See the fair flyer
News and notes
City Council meeting: The Biloxi City Council faces an agenda of a dozen issues, including the creation of Recreation and Leisure districts, when its meets Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.  The council also will hold a special meeting after the 1:30 p.m. meeting to discuss the proposed LaQuinta Inn and Suites. To see the agenda and supporting documents for the 1:30 p.m. meeting, click here.
Juneteenth:Â To see photos from the Juneteenth Celebration at John Henry Beck park on Saturday, click here.
Weekly review: To see the highlights from last week from the departments of the Fire, Police and Community Development, click here.
Saints Weekend: Don’t forget to get your tickets for the upcoming Saints Weekend at MGM Park. Tickets are available at the MGM box office and at all Ticketmaster locations. To see the flyer, click here.
