Back Bay Back Open

The Coast Guard has reopened the waterway through the Popps Ferry Bridge on Back Bay.

The waterway was closed Friday after a barge hit the bridge causing a large section of the heavily traveled drawbridge to collapse.

Salavage crews began removing the damaged, sunken barges and debris Monday.

Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway wants the bridge repaired before hurricane season. He plans to ask the city council to declare a state of emergency to get the work done in 60 days or less.

Holloway has met with the city's structural engineers and
officials from the Mississippi Department of Transportation after
surveying the damage. Holloway says the bridge is critical for
day-to-day travel and that's why he wants a state of emergency
declared.

Officials said bridgetender Margaret Johnson was the only person
on the bridge at the time of the crash and was able to escape. The cause of the incident is under investigation.