(BILOXI, Miss.) April 11 - Crews began repairing Biloxi's Popps Ferry Bridge at midnight, weeks after the drawbridge was heavily damaged.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation awarded a $200 contract to rebuild the Gulf Coast bridge to Joe McGee Construction Co. of Lake, Miss.
The heavily traveled bridge on Biloxi's Back Bay was closed last month after the barge accident. Two 90-foot sections of the bridge were destroyed along with eight pylons.
The department says it was successful in obtaining Federal Highway Emergency funds to be used for the work.
MDOT Director Butch Brown said the bridge should be reopened to vehicular traffic by the end of the month.