MDOT Gets Ferry Project Underway

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has begun preparations for vehicular ferry service between Henderson Point in Harrison County and Bay St. Louis.

MDOT has agreed to contract with a ferry service provider to operate the ferry. Funding for the ferry service as well as the preparatory work for the access and landing sites come from Emergency Relief (ER) funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
In addition, on the Henderson Point side, MDOT has assembled crews to repair a half-mile stretch of Old Highway 90 and clear nearly a mile of county roads in the landing vicinity. Also, sections of the 3rd Avenue roadbed, which were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, will be repaired.

In a recent development, the Seabees will no longer be able to construct the ferry landing, therefore MDOT maintenance crews will now accomplish all phases of ferry landing construction, except pile driving and material supply. Hattiesburg-based Warren Paving Inc. was awarded two separate contracts related to the ferry operation. Warren Paving bid $987,000 for dredging and $1.37 million to cover material and pile driving costs. The Harrison County Sand Beach Authority is contributing to current repair work along Old Highway 90 by offering equipment, operators and the use of sand.

"MDOT has benefited greatly from the way Harrison County has pitched in to assist in the road repairs leading to the landing," said District Six engineer Ricky Lee. "It is because of the cooperation of all levels of government that the ferry operation is becoming a reality."

MBJ