MDOT encourages marine traffic to shelter TODAY

HATTIESBURG, MISS. – As Tropical Storm Francine nears the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Department of Transportation advises any boats that need to shelter on the back bay or need to move inland via one of the drawbridges on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to do so by 6 p.m. tonight.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to affect the area starting tonight. These wind speeds have prompted MDOT to remove the gate arms on drawbridges on State Route 605, State Route 609 and I-110. The gate arms will be removed just before 6 p.m. tonight. Then, the bridges will be locked down and closed to marine traffic. They will not be raised again until after the storm passes.

Currently, the State Route 605 drawbridge is closed to marine traffic following a traffic incident this morning where a vehicle struck the gate arm. MDOT is working to correct this issue as quickly as possible to reopen the bridge to marine traffic.

Stay updated on live travel information by downloading the free MDOT Traffic app, visiting MDOTtraffic.com and following @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.