What are the plans are for rebuilding the bridges and highways on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Do you know?

Even before Hurricane Katrina destroyed Highway 90 along the gulf, and decimated  the Ocean Springs Biloxi and Bay St. Louis bridges planning was underway? to add new connectors between the coast and I-10.

Recently many articles have appeared pointing a finger at MDOT or the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

I want residents of the Gulf Coast to read these articles. To know the plans and the delays.

A construction contract has been issued for the Bay St. Louis bridge but work has not started. The Bilox Ocean Springs bridge (as of today) is still awaiting a critical decision from the Coast Guard.  This decision will not only impact the new bridge but plans for other connectors.  Basically it is a decision as to whether the bridges must have a draw span.  The plans to build a larger 10-lane bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi were challenged when the Harrison County Development Commission  and the shipbuilding industry notified the Mississippi Department of Transportation that a draw span was critical to future economic interests. Federal Law prohibits building a bridge that would interfere with commerce by limiting the height of vessels. Thus the Coast Guard, is required to review the bridge.

Whatever the decisions, replacing these bridges is paramount to the development and rebuilding of Biloxi an other Coastal communities.

MDOTs history has been less than spectacular in regards to Coastal Highways.

The Sun Herald recently had published a series of reports. Additionally a lesser know site, Gulf Coast News has published numerous Opinions and Articles spotlighting the alleged deceptive practices and delays.

I feel it is important for our citizens to know the details. What are the plans, how will they impact our growth.

These are Important. To our growth, are rebuilding not to mention evacuation if needed.  We don't need the expansion and economy of the Gulf Coast choked by inadequate access.

The long awaited new connector between Highway 90 and I-10 .. The most popular plan was to cross at Roddenburg west of Keesler AFB. Was hampered by some issues with Keesler Base Housing.  Now that housing is destroyed and one would think that Kessler wont rebuild them in an area that is known to flood.  Most likely expansion would be in North Biloxi where land is still available. All non flooding areas on the peninsula are already utilized.

But even these plans have to wait on the Coast Guard decision on the draw spans. 

Here are some links to the articles referenced above. I would encourage everyone to read them and get familiar with the plans for Your Gulf Coast.

It appears most of the Sun Herald articles are now in their Pay per view Archive...

GCN - Decision on Biloxi Bridge Has Far-Reaching Impact ...

GCN - Who Will Change It? GCN Guest Article - by Royce Hignight

WLOX - Bridge Battle Pits MDOT Versus Shipbuilders

Gulflive (The Mississippi Press) MDOT bridge proposal fuels controversy

Clarion Ledger - MDA chief opposes MDOT bridge plan.

Bridgezilla - By Julia Weaver (Ocean Springs,MS Alderman)

We need visionary leadership, not MDOT's blinders. An editorial from the Sun Herald, Article is below the "poem"

As you can see from these articles and many more there is much discussion and irritation with both MDOT and the leadership.  Know whats going on, and speak your opinion. What do YOU think about the Highway plans for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Let us know here!