Home > News > Biloxi Bay Bridge

Biloxi Bay Bridge  

Posted on Thu, Nov. 01, 2007

Parade marks first vehicles to cross Biloxi Bay Bridge

By RYAN LaFONTAINE, MARGARET BAKER, MARY PEREZ and MICHAEL NEWSOM
rlafontaine@sunherald.com

D. J. Deno of D'Iberville photographs the sunset and the U.S. 90 Biloxi Bay Bridge on Thursday.
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALD
D. J. Deno of D'Iberville photographs the sunset and the U.S. 90 Biloxi Bay Bridge on Thursday.

The first vehicles have crossed the Biloxi Bay Bridge.

Following a ceremony and parade of hundreds of motorcycles that took 15 minutes to pass, first responders crossed the bridge in emergency vehicles to mark the official opening of the span.

Dozens of classic cars followed as well en route to the Hard Rock Casino.

Local residents and MDOT employees lined the new section of the bridge on the Biloxi side, passing out bottled waters with commemorative labels to mark the bridge's opening.

Sandy Stabler grew up in a house was just north of where the bridge lands in Biloxi. She brought her daughter to watch her husband in the motorcycle parade.

"It feels like all our history is gone," she said. "It's a new chapter."

Speeches at Biloxi's ceremony to mark the opening of the bridge lasted only about 45 minutes, but there were plenty of politicians there.

Gov. Haley Barbour spoke at the foot of bridge in Biloxi and then left while Donald Powell, who is in charge of the federal recovery, was introduced but left before he was asked to speak.

Gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves watched much of the proceedings from the Town Green. He then went to the bridge and was taken to the ceremony.

Harrison County Supervisor Connie Rockco came bearing a political sign for Larry Benefield, who is running for Southern District Transportation Commissioner against incumbent Wayne Brown.

"I've always been bold," she said.

Mayor A.J. Holloway offered a light moment when he told the crowd, "I'm going to keep this short; let's open this bridge!" and sat down to the roar of the crowd. He did get back up, but kept his remarks brief.

Sens. Trent Lott and Thad Cochran were unable to attend, but sent representatives.

A woman who attended the Bay St. Louis bridge opening said the crowd was about the same size. That opening was estimated to be about 5,000.

Barbecue, music and a sunny day combined for a pleasant afternoon waiting for the festivities to begin in Ocean Springs that will mark the opening of the Biloxi Bay Bridge.

On the Ocean Springs side, people ate barbecue from the Shed, waded into the Bay and listened to music. The crowds were rather light about 1:30 p.m., but police expect traffic to get heavier as the afternoon progresses and encourage those who come out to use the CTA Park and Ride.

Donna Whitehouse said she's excited about the bridge opening because as a caretaker for 91-year-old grandmother, it will make the travel back and forth to Keesler Air Force Base easier when taking her in for her medical appointments.