Residents, motorists and businesspeople north of the CSX railway in East Biloxi can see real progress every day, in terms of more asphalt going down and dirt roads becoming a thing of the past in most neighborhoods.
However, there are still roads to be paved, sidewalks to be poured and landscaping to be installed. And the current date on the current contract for completion of the work on the 55 miles of roadways north of the railway is Jan. 2, 2019. The contract, of course, has been amended 70 times since it was originally approved on Aug. 4, 2014, and more requests for change orders are in the works.
Says Jennifer Matranga of Oscar Renda Contracting: “Through the many difficult circumstances that have been encountered in such a complex project, ORC has continued to be steadfast in a continued partnership with the City of Biloxi to making it great again for the community and all those who come to visit this great city.”
Video: Hear the latest from Oscar Renda and Hemphill
See detailed maps of the progress
Be careful with last-minute holiday chores
This is the time of year, Biloxi Police say, when residents and motorists can get caught up in the hoopla surrounding last-minute holiday preparations and forget about safety.
Police have prepared a list of things to remember and Chief John Miller has even recorded a video of advice.
Biggest tip: Regardless of where you are – in a car, at home, walking in a parking lot, or at the ATM – be aware of your surroundings and the task at hand.
Read the holiday safety tips
Video: Police Chief John Miller has advice for you
News & notes: Podcast, Popp’s Ferry, holiday schedules, weekend
Podcast: Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich guests on this week’s City Desk podcast, the final program of the year. To listen, click here.
Popp’s Ferry bridge: Remember, West Biloxi motorists, the Popp’s Ferry bridge closes at 10 this evening and is scheduled to reopen hours later, no later than 6 a.m. Saturday. For details on that work, click here. For the overall traffic report citywide, click here.
Holiday bus schedule: The Coast Transit Authority has released its holiday bus schedule. To see the information, click here.
Holiday office closures: All non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas.
Garbage service: The Harrison County Utility Authority says no garbage, recycling or trash will be collected Christmas Day. Collection will be a day later than usual for the week.
Weekend preview: Find last minute Christmas gifts at the Biloxi Visitors Cener Holiday Open House, and visit the Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland and Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour, both at the IP. For a look at events of note taking place along the Mississippi Gulf Coast this weekend, click here. To see the Biloxi Community Calendar, click here
News & notes video: Council meeting, Christmas message
Council meeting video: Among the presentations you’ll see in this week’s City Council meeting, the final scheduled meeting of 2018, are Carnival and civic leader Andi Oustalet discussing the Mardi Gras Museum, Jennifer Matranga of Oscar Renda updating progress on infrastructure, and public comments involving homelessness. To see the video, click here.
Christmas message: From the archives on the city’s YouTube page, it’s A.J. Holloway having fun with a Christmas message that aired on the big screen during a college basketball tournament in 2007 at the Coast Coliseum. To see, click here.
