Menge Avenue bridge, Buc-ee’s have expected opening dates – this year

The Buc-ee’s store planned for Menge Avenue in Harrison County should be open in time for Christmas shopping this year.

Bill Lavers, executive director for the Harrison County Development Commission, said Friday that the Buc-ee’s store has a target date opening of Thanksgiving 2024.

That news came on the heels of the announcement that the overpass at Menge Avenue has an opening target date of October 10.

Lavers made the announcement during the Gulf Coast Business Council’s Legislative Launch Luncheon at the Knight NonProfit Center in Gulfport.

He was one of 10 business and industry leaders who spoke to the Business Council about legislative priorities for the  Coast in the current session.

Road work on the Menge Avenue project began July 5, 2023. The overpass was dismantled so that a wider bridge could be built to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic when Buc-ee’s opens.

In addition, the entrance and exit ramps and Firetower Road will be widened. The project is expected to cost $15 million.

The Buc-ee’s store is expected to be between 70,000 and 80,000 square feet and is expected to bring about five million visitors to Mississippi on an annual basis. The $50 million investment also will bring more than 200 jobs paying more than $15 an hour with full benefits.