POPP'S FERRY BRIDGE HIT BY BARGE

BILOXI'S POPP'S FERRY BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR MONTHS –

South end of bridge was hit by a barge this morning at 7:30. The draw section was up for the 8 connected barges to pass through the bridge. A live report from WLOX said the tug was veering to the south of the bridge when it should've been going through the middle.

Thankfully the only car that went in the water was the brige tender's car. Marge Johnson, the bridgetender, was the only person on the bridge at the time and she was rescued. Traffic was lined up on the south end waiting for the barges to pass. Some of that traffic included school buses.

According to WLOX news in Biloxi, one barge is under water and another is taking on water. On the south end, 150' section of the bridge is missing. The bridge broke away and fell into the water just feet from the bridgetender's house.

This is a huge traffic issue, once again, for getting in and out of Biloxi. Those who used the bridge as a regular route will now have to detour to Cowan-Lorraine, Pass Road, and I-110. In addition barge traffic, especially coal barges for the MS Power Plant, will be hindered by this massive destruction of a major bridge.

Popp's Ferry was heavily damaged by Katrina but was repaired and re-opened in January 2006.

WLOX Live Video/Reports
Popps Ferry Bridge
Katrina's Destruction