Category 10 - Project Management

Award of Excellence

U.S. Route 90, Biloxi Bay Bridge
Biloxi, Mississippi

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge linking Ocean Springs, MS, with Biloxi in August 2005. Rapid reconstruction for the l.6-mile long bridge was critical to support reconstruction of the area and eliminate lengthy detours; so, the Mississippi DOT (MDOT) used a design-build contract—one of the first such projects in the State. The project management was characterized by rapid and effective decision-making, continuous communication, and "doing it right" the first time. MDOT committed time and attention of its executive staff to the emergency bridge reconstruction, who communicated by both words and actions the importance of the project. And, the contractor anticipated potential issues and went the extra measure to avoid delays.

Owner: Mississippi Department of Transportation, Jackson, MS