1962 Biloxi Bay Bridge

 

Pre-opening 1962

(Courtesy of Elaine Ryan Miller)

      This US 90 Highway span, a four-lane bridge with a jack knife draw, the second to cross Biloxi Bay, was erected by the J.B. Michael Construction Company at a cost of $7,000,000.  Michael employed approximately 150 men to erect this structure.  About 50 men were employed at their concrete plant on Clay Point at Biloxi.  This bridge was dedicated on May 9, 1962.(The Daily Herald, March 26, 1959, p. 1 and June 8, 1961, p. 5 and The Ocean Springs News, May 3, 1962)

     George L. Lemon (b. 1908), an MDOT Civil Engineer who was reared at Ocean Springs, was prominent in the design and construction of this structure.  At the time, this span was the longest ever built by the State of Mississippi.(The Ocean Springs News, May 3, 1962)

 

 

 

(image made October 1990)

 

(image made September 2005)

    

Hurricane Camille 1969

     After Hurricane Camille in August 1969, the L&N Railroad commenced a passenger shuttle service between Pascagoula and Gulfport to alleviate automobile traffic resulting from the damage to the US Highway 90 Bridge across the Bay of Biloxi.  There were passenger stops at Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Keesler AFB, Beauvoir, and Mississippi City.  The cost was $.50 per trip.  The temporary rail service was terminated on September 19, 1969, after bridge traffic commenced on US 90 across Biloxi Bay.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 11, 1969, p. 1 and September 25, 1969, p.1)

    

Hurricane Katrina 2005

 

 

REFERENCES:

 

The Daily Herald, "Plan June Opening of Bids On New Bay of Biloxi Bridge", March 26, 1959, p. 1.

The Daily Herald, "New Bridge Is Half Complete, Contractor Says", June 8, 1962, p. 5.

The Ocean Springs News, "Longest span built by State; savings noted", May 3, 1962, p. 2.

The Ocean Springs News, "Lemons prominent bridge history", May 3, 1962, p.

The Ocean Springs News, "Bridge dedication next Wednesday", May 9, 1962, p. 1.

The Ocean Springs Record, "L&N Ease Traffic by Passenger Shuttle", September 11, 1969.

The Ocean Springs Record, "Shuttlin off for good", September 25, 1969, p. 1.