Bay Bridge

Bridges primarily serve a functional purpose. They are supposed to provide continuity across gaps along transport routes. However, other requirements have also to be set to bridges. The most important of these are the safety aspects, functional ability, feasibility, durability, economy and elegance. The examples below represent a varying degree of these criteria, certainly the early ferries that crossed the bay took little if any of the requirements into consideration, and merely a attempt by men to simply get to the other side a measure employed to save time, the first bridge built in 1928 was an attempt to improve safety, justified feasible and certainly functionality. The second bridge built in 1953 provided an added measure of safety, certainly it was more durable and with the ever increasing traffic volume apparently feasible, but it’s the new bridge constructed after Katrina that incorporated all the requirements, it’s elegance, durable, cross functional with its accessibility to pedestrians one can argue the economics being its taxpayers dollars so no one person felt much pain over the cost and besides the view is spectacular to say the least. But as I drove across this graceful structure it became apparent to me that this bridge represented much more than just the requirements needed to justify its existence, it represents the resilience of the people that weathered the storm, and speaks to the will of those humble enough to accept the challenge and the grit to face the strength of Mother Nature but the fortitude to never concede to her fury. I can’t say with certainty that this will be the last bridge to span the vastness of this bay but I am absolutely convinced that there will always be a bridge here come what may.
The History of Crossing Bay St. Louis
1912 — 1928 — A slow and sometimes dangerous ferry ride.
1928 — 1953 — At a cost of $ 752,610.65, this new bridge that was approximately 1.9 miles long and incorporated 491 creosoted timber spans, each 21 feet in length, and a 202 foot electrically operated drawbridge served the people well until a hurricane in 1947 caused extensive damage isolating the cities for the first time.
1953 — 2005 — Construction of the first concrete bridge over the Bay of St. Louis begins. Its location is about a half mile north of the old wooden bridge at Ulman Avenue. New four-​lane approaches were built through a largely vacant area of Bay St. Louis, that eventually became Highway 90 after it is re-​routed from the Old Spanish Trail (partially destroyed by hurricane Camille in 1969 repaired at a cost of $ 9.8 million dollars, completely destroyed in 2005 hurricane Katrina).
2007 — Present — A new $ 260,000,000 bridge opened almost 2 years after the former bridge was destroyed.
Future — it definitely looks bright!

I’ve got a thing for bridges. I love them and always have. One of my dream vacations is to go to San Francisco just to experience the Golden Gate Bridge and I fully intend to make that happen. Until then, though, I consider myself to be pretty lucky to live where I do. We’ve got more water than land around here. Guess what that means? Lots of bridges. (And lots of awesome seafood!)
This is a sexy ass bridge. That’s all there is to it. She’s curvy and proud of it. She connects two little dreamy towns that are the epitome of small town charm. I especially love this bridge at night. She is beautiful all lit up. I think it’s very cool that there’s a pedestrian/​bike walkway but I don’t know if I’ll ever be brave enough to cross it on foot. Eek!
She’s no Golden Gate, but she is mine and totally has my heart.

As a kid my family spent a lot of time on the Gulf Coast. I have very fond memories of driving along beach road all the way from Bay St. Louis to Gulfport or Biloxi. Looking back I realize that was not the fastest way, but it was the way with the best view. I guess my dad figured that the drive to a destination is often as fun as the destination itself if you take the scenic route. Apparently that rubbed off on me as I now go the way with the best view rather than the quickest route. What does this have to do with this bridge? If you stop being so impatient, I will tell you.
Part of the beauty of that longer drive was the original Bay Bridge. As a kid I couldn’t believe that people were actually allowed to walk over the bridge (The only real bridge I knew at that point was the GNO and you most certainly did not want to walk over that behemoth.). Sure it served its purpose by connecting Pass Christian and Bay ST. Louis, but to me, that bridge was so much more.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 it caused massive destruction. Since I rode out the storm in Nola, I had no idea about the level of destruction anywhere other than the city and surrounded areas. After a few weeks I traveled to Texas to visit with family and was able to watch television footage for the first time. When they showed an aerial view of the Bay Bridge, I was devastated. The bridge was completely destroyed. I don’t know why seeing that had such an effect, especially after everything else that had occurred. It was like a part of my childhood was gone and would never be the same.
Fast forward to the current day and the current modern Bay Bridge has replaced the version of my youth. Pedestrians are still allowed, but the bridge has lost some of the character it once had. I know that it is much taller, and built to withstand big storms, but I kind of miss the old bridge.
I still go to the Gulf Coast several times a year and I now bring my own kids. I don’t know if they appreciate my detours and scenic routes like I do, but I sure hope they remember it one day.

This is a beautiful replacement for the original bridge that was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
The new 2-​mile bridge opened in May 2007. It is a 4-​lane bridge with a very nice 12-​foot path for walkers/​joggers/​bicyclists. I have walked this bridge before and it is a great workout walking across and back. The view isn’t too shabby either.
The two cities that are linked together by this bridge (Bay St Louis & Pass Christian) are both small cities with lots of charm. I recommend day tripping out to either city for a nice small-​town excursion.
Walk or jog this bridge early in the morning to avoid the heat. Or visit at night to see how beautiful she is all lit up.