Drawbridge project to affect road, maritime traffic

BILOXI — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will soon begin a major rehabilitation project to repair the Interstate 110 drawbridge.

The project was awarded to Boh Brothers Construction Company, LLC, of New Orleans. The $4.1-million project will begin in January.

The project will replace the stringers and steel grid decking of the bridge, which was built in 1971. The first phase of the project will involve the removal of the existing median barrier, which must be conducted prior to replacing the structural steel.

While all four travel lanes will remain open during this first phase, travel lanes will narrow and experience a slight shift prior to reaching the construction zone. Therefore, no wide loads will be permitted on the I-110 Bridge throughout the construction project, which is scheduled for completion in June 2011.

Marine traffic will be restricted at the I-110 Back Bay of the Biloxi Bridge during the project. MDOT is working to notify affected parties by sending out notices to all vessel owners who have used the drawbridge within the last two years. Closure notices are being sent to area marinas, marine-related businesses and seafood processing firms.