The New Bridge...

Keesler Sees Opportunity for North South Connector at Rodenberg Avenue
Base Officials Say Keesler Open to Help Area’s Transportation and Economy

By Keith Burton – GCN 4/12/08

In what could result in the most significant improvement in Biloxi’s long history of transportation problems and perhaps the entire Mississippi Coast, Keesler A.F.B. officials have told GulfCoastNews.com that the base is ready to look at a new bridge at the Rodenberg Ave. area.

For years, Keesler has been used as the excuse by local and state officials as the reason a new North-South connector could not be developed, specifically, a new bridge at Rodenberg Avenue between the Biloxi peninsula and its rapidly growing areas north of Back Bay at the I-10 Cedar Lake exit and beyond.

While studies going back more than 30 years have shown that a bridge, between Popps Ferry and the I-110 have been needed, officials from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Biloxi administration officials, including four-term Mayor A.J. Holloway, have said that they feared Keesler would object to a bridge at Rodenberg through their officer housing area, and put the economically critical base in jeopardy.

But that is not the case now.

Over the last several years, Biloxi has focused on widening Popps Ferry Road and bridge. But such a project would disrupt several major Biloxi subdivisions, and adds nothing for improving the number of traffic arteries to the areas north of the bay. Biloxi has long needed another bridge across the bay. The Rodenberg Avenue route is the shortest distance and splits evenly the distance between the two existing bridges and is immediately west of Keesler.

The fear of local and state officials over any possible loss of the base, which contributes over a billion dollars to the area’s economy has long stymied plans that would seriously help with the chronic traffic problems in the city, especially since the arrival of casino gaming, which draws over a million visitors a year to the Coast and adds another billion to the area’s economy.  Biloxi is unlike any other city in the state of Mississippi in light of its visitor traffic demands, which are expected to exponentially grow in the near future.

As Keesler has long been used by such public officials as Sen. Trent Lott, MDOT’s Wayne and Butch Brown, and Mayor A.J. Holloway as THE EXCUSE for not pursuing a bridge at Rodenberg, GCN sought out the base’s official position in an email request over a month ago.

GCN specifically asked about Keesler’s position on a bridge at Rodenberg.

This week, GCN received their reply:

Keesler’s position is like a breath of fresh air for it could mean that the city can develop the transportation system that will take the community into the 21^st century and accommodate the growth that is already well underway. The Rodenberg route has also been approved in the past by the Biloxi Planning Commission, and numerous citizens in past public meetings, as well as the Biloxi School Board and Harrison County Board of Supervisors.

For years, every discussion about a Rodenberg Avenue bridge across Back Bay was met by comments that Keesler would not approve. That resistance no longer seems to be an issue.

In the days of ever increasing fuel costs, much denser population and high visitor levels drawn by the area’s casinos and beachfront recreation, Biloxi is faced with how to make it all happen successfully. A third major bridge is perhaps the most significant part of the solution.

The Rodenberg Avenue bridge would connect the busy west Biloxi strip area to the Cedar Lake area and I-10. It is a natural solution for a vexing problem as it would relieve the daily gridlock at Popps Ferry Road and Pass Road. It would also reinvigorate the areas along Pass Road and Rodenberg and U.S. 90. And would  provide a commercial corridor from U.S. 90 to I-10. (GCN photo right: Crowed Pass Road and Popps Ferry Road intersection)

Rodenberg also would provide much faster service for Keesler’s thousands of personnel and workers that live in the more affordable subdivisions north of Back Bay. The Biloxi peninsula is forecast to become more expensive to live, from higher insurance costs, to its natural position along beach.

With growing fuel costs projected to continue well into the future, a more efficient transportation system would cut miles of unnecessary travel and commute times for workers both at Keesler and throughout the city. Reducing the higher costs of transporting students for the school system.

The new bridge would also provide another northern route for evacuations in times of future hurricane’s and other potential emergencies, which is badly needed as seen from the problems experienced from Hurricane Katrina. (GCN photo left: Popps Ferry Bridge traffic)

While the new Biloxi Bay Bridge between the city and Ocean Springs can handle the future traffic from the east, that bridge does nothing to support the internal traffic within the city. It is also clear that Interstate 10 is no longer a highway that just travels near the Coast. I-10 itself is quickly becoming the main East-West corridor road, once thought as needed along the CSX railroad line. I-10 is carrying both pass-through and inter-city vehicles. Another connection point to this new role that the I-10 is performing is obviously needed from the rapidly increase traffic congestion already experienced since Katrina.

Additionally, Rodenberg Avenue is listed as a “Defense Access Road,” which opens the door for federal funding of the bridge. Any new bridge is an expensive proposition, but the money and focus can be found quickly if the parties will come together.

The issue now is whether local, state and federal officials, such as Sen. Roger Wicker, Holloway, and MDOT’s Wayne Brown will work with Keesler to resolve any issues a new bridge at Rodenberg would create.  (GCN photo right: Cleared Keesler Housing Property south Rodenberg Ave.)

What is clear from the word from Keesler, is that they no longer want to be the “bad guy” over why Biloxi does not have the transportation system it needs.

Additional Information:

Keesler's Response Email to GCN

Biloxi Needs Another New Bridge - GCN Opinion

Going Nowhere- Biloxi's New Bridge, MDOT's Continuing Effort to Mislead Everyone - GCN

Environmental Assessment Meeting to Be Held Over Popps Ferry Road and Bridge Expansion - GCN

Biloxi Council Votes on Another Popps Ferry Bridge Expansion Study - GCN

Biloxi Studies Widening Popps Ferry Road Bridge and Road - Sun Herald