Public hearing held on future of U.S. 90 Bridge replacements
PEARLINGTON, Miss. (WXXV) – Residents in Hancock County got an update Tuesday on the future of several key U.S. 90 bridges during a public hearing hosted by transportation officials from Mississippi and Louisiana.
The meeting at the Pearlington Recovery Center focused on plans to replace five bridges along the U.S. 90 corridor, including the East Pearl River Bridge, which has been closed to through traffic since May 2022 after inspectors identified significant structural deterioration.
Residents reviewed project information, examined design options and had the opportunity to ask questions about the timeline and funding for the long-awaited bridge replacements.
Transportation officials said the project is continuing to make progress through the planning process, with the environmental review expected to be completed early next year.
“We’re moving closer to finishing up the environmental review, which will be early next year,” officials explained. “Once that’s completed, we can move into final design, which gets the project ready for construction when funding becomes available.”
Officials said preparing the plans now is critical, even without construction funding currently secured.
“We need to put ourselves in a position to be ready to go whenever funding becomes available,” officials said.
Many residents questioned why the planning process is continuing before funding has been finalized. Transportation leaders explained that completing environmental reviews and final design work will allow the project to move more quickly once money is identified.
Officials are still waiting to learn whether the project will receive funding through a federal bridge grant program. If funding is approved, replacement of the Louisiana bridges would be the first phase of the overall effort before work can move forward on the East Pearl River Bridge connecting Hancock County to Louisiana.
Transportation leaders also acknowledged concerns from residents about the lengthy closure of the East Pearl River Bridge and said public input remains an important part of the process.
Another public hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Northshore High School in Slidell, where residents will have another opportunity to review plans and provide feedback on the proposed bridge replacements.
