The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-08-05

The Pass Christian Rotary Club, through its president,
F w Brainard, has started a drive for a steel and con-
crete bridge across Bay st. Louis to replace the present
Anticipated wooden structure which has been closed three
times in the past two years for periods ranging from a
few hours to three months. 1t is presently still closed to
heavy truck and bus traffic because of a fire started by
tightening striking the bridge a short time ago.
IN is47 the bridge was closed for three weeks because
Of the hurricane damage. The secondary route at that
time ws unmarked and virtually uncsred for.
In ise IL was closed for three months because Of fire.
A shorAk kims ago 1t was closed for several hours to all
traffic and III remain closed for an indefinite period to
heavy traffic because of another fire.
The Bay bridge is an ever-present hazard to Missis-
sippis heaviest travelled Interstate highway. No one
knows when another fire or storm will again close it for
months. The resultant cost in lost time to motorists, and
business to Coast merchants is staggering. President
Brainard points out that it will take approximately three
years to build a concrete-and-steel structure, and adds
that it should be started while we have the present bridge.
Lets not wait" he says, until the present bridge burns
or falls down and be without means of direct travel for a
period of two or three years.
Mr.. Brainard is eminently correct, but the situation is
tar worse than he points out.
Coast residents need and deserve a modern bridge
across Bay st. Louis, but at the same time they also need
and deserve a modern Highway 80.
There are seven bridges between Pascagoula and Gau-
uer. All are IN BAD condltlon. Some Tor months have been
on the point of actual collapse. If any one of them falls
through or c~ollapses, traffic on 90 would be suspended for
an indefinite period of time.
Except for the two-lane stretches In Harrison county.
and the stretch across Hancock county. Highway 80. as we
have 50 often pointed out. is in a deplorable and dangerous
condition.
fA Highway commission officials explained at the meet
ing in Gulfport recently that it would cost 22-million dol
lars to do what is needed for Highway 80.
A4Nrr.
~ If the legislature grants a one-cent increase in the
gasoline tax at the scheduled special session, the Highway
Commission indicates that it plans a multi-million dollar
bond issue. However, when asked how 80 would share in
those funds, we were told that first they would have to be
divided evenly between the three state highway districts,
and then the coast counties would get their proportion
ate share of the Southern District funds for work on go.
This doesn't make sense to us. Highway 80 is admit
tedly one of the states most important traffic arteries. 1t
is threatened with closure at several points because of its
dangerous condition. Definite plans for permanent re-
pairs should be made and submitted to the Coast citizens.
If it will take two, three or four years to complete such a
program we should know it. Frankly, Coast residents are
tired of vagueness and promises that never materialize.