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HATTIESBURG, MISS.—Less than a day after Hurricane Katrina surged through South Mississippi, on August 29, 2005, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) was left with the difficult task of immediately restoring mobility to the Gulf Coast.
Within six hours of landfall, MDOT officials opened all structurally safe roadways to emergency response teams. Within 16 hours, all state maintained highway lanes had been clear and open for the public to access. However, Hurricane Katrina unleashed more than $1 billion in damage to the states transportation infrastructure and 12 years later, MDOT continues to rebuild infrastructure along the Gulf Coast.
This rebuild began with the states first major design-build project as the new Bay St. Louis Bridge was opened on May 17, 2007, connecting Highway 90 from Bay St. Louis to Pass Christian. Later that year, MDOT opened the newly constructed Biloxi Bay Bridge using the design-build project delivery method that allowed for all designing, engineering, permitting and construction activities to be conducted simultaneously. The efforts of MDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the design-build team assured the record fast rebuild of Katrina-damaged transportation infrastructure.
Just as individuals, businesses and communities all worked together to rebuild, MDOT focused not just on replacing and repairing all that had been lost or damaged, but rebuilding better than before. This vision not only reconnected communities, rebuilt bridges and restored mobility, but renewed the Gulf Coasts economy, infrastructure and culture. The vision that made this renewal possible continues today with projects along the frequently traveled Interstate 10 and Highway 90 corridors.
Examples of this vision are featured throughout recent projects along the Gulf Coast such as the Sangani Boulevard Interchange Project in Harrison County, the Highway 607 reconstruction and expansion project in Hancock County and the Interstate 10 widening currently underway in Jackson County. Read more about how far transportation infrastructure has come since the storm in Katrina+10: Bridging the Road to Renewal. The E-book is currently available at GoMDOT.com/katrina.
On the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, MDOT reminds the public that now is the time to prepare for Hurricane Season, currently underway. The 2017 Hurricane Evacuation Guide is an essential resource just a click away. Order a free copy today at GoMDOT.com/maps. The guide features information to assist in developing a preparedness plan such as evacuation routes, contraflow information, radio coverage areas through Mississippi Public Broadcasting and important contact information from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and bordering state DOTs and highway patrols.
MDOT also offers a disaster-kit checklist and instructional videos on hurricane preparation at GoMDOT.com/hurricanes. During a storm, the public can stay updated on live travel and weather information 24/7 with MDOTs free travel resources. Visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the MDOT Traffic Mobile App or call 511.
Now is an important time to remind South Mississippi residents to be prepared and have a plan together for the remainder of Hurricane Season, said Transportation Commissioner Tom King. Its never too late. Take advantage of these free preparedness resources today.
Follow @MississippiDOT on social media along with the hashtag #HurricaneStrong this Hurricane Season.
