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11 updates on the long road to Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

The arrival of Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s signifies a broader transformation of infrastructure, commerce, and employment along the Gulf Coast. Construction of the 74,000-square-foot travel center has sparked a $15 million overhaul of the I-10 interchange at Menge Avenue, creating persistent traffic delays while improving capacity for expected surges in visitors and commercial activity. Adjacent roadwork and demolitions underscore the project's scope, requiring coordinated overnight closures and long-range plans to widen highways and upgrade exits.

Businesses near the construction zone face temporary strain, yet many anticipate long-term economic gains as Buc-ee’s brings more than 200 jobs with above-average wages and accelerates surrounding development. The travel center’s projected 2025 opening positions it as a catalyst for regional tourism and retail expansion.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

You can never have enough Buc-ee’s merch. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 1: WHEN WILL BUC-EE’S OPEN FIRST MISSISSIPPI STORE IN PASS CHRISTIAN? HERE’S THE TIMELINE.

The first phase of development begins on I-10 next week. Here’s when the highly-anticipated travel center is expected to open. | Published July 1, 2023 | Read Full Story by Justin Mitchell

Traffic is backed up on Interstate 10 from Exit 20 to Exit 28 as work begins on a widening project at the Buc-ee’s site.

NO. 2: HOW BAD IS TRAFFIC ON I-10 TODAY? LONG DELAYS AT COAST BUC-EE’S SITE, MS-LA STATE LINE

After drivers spent hours stuck in congestion across the Mississippi Coast yesterday, here’s what things look like Thursday and what to expect. | Published July 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

The Interstate 10 overpass bridge at Menge Avenue is closed for about a year as a widening project beings to make way for Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s in Pass Christian. By Justin Mitchell

NO. 3: HERE’S THE SCHEDULE FOR BRIDGE DEMOLITION, I-10 LANE CLOSURES AT MS COAST BUC-EE’S SITE

Once concrete safety barriers are in place, two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction. Here’s what you need to know. | Published July 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The Interstate 10 overpass bridge at Menge Avenue is closed for about a year as a widening project beings to make way for Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s in Pass Christian. By Justin Mitchell

NO. 4: I-10 NEAR BUC-EE’S WILL BE CLOSED TONIGHT FOR BRIDGE DEMOLITION. HERE’S THE LATEST

Traffic will detour using the exit and entrance ramps, and will be down to one lane during the night-long closures. | Published August 7, 2023 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Work continues on a new bridge over I-10 at the Menge Avenue Exit in Harrison County ahead of the opening of a new Buc-ee’s travel center. Two night closures are scheduled to allow crews to span the interstate. By Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Transportation

NO. 5: TWO MORE I-10 OVERNIGHT CLOSURES ARE PLANNED AS ROADWORK CONTINUES FOR NEW BUC-EE’S

The detours will again use the exit and entrance ramps at Menge Avenue as a detour. | Published February 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Work continues on a new bridge over I-10 at the Menge Avenue Exit in Harrison County ahead of the opening of a new Buc-ee’s travel center. Two night closures are scheduled to allow crews to span the interstate. By Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Transportation

NO. 6: DRIVERS SHOULD ‘EXPECT MAJOR DELAYS’ DURING LANE CLOSURE ON INTERSTATE 10, MDOT SAYS

The agency warned drivers to expect congestion on Thursday. | Published May 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

A sign welcomes motorists to Diamondhead on Friday, June 6, 2024. By John Buzbee

NO. 7: CONSTRUCTION, CLOSURE COMING SOON TO I-10. DIAMONDHEAD BUSINESSES HOPE PAIN IS WORTH IT

Interstate exit closure is expected to hurt business in the short-term, local businesses fear. | Published June 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Buzbee

A T. L. Wallace employee’s car sits at the edge of the new new Menge Avenue five-lane deck at exit 24 of I-10, where the new Buc-ee’s is under construction. A final layer of asphalt is required to finish the approach. The new bridge and redesign of the exit are needed to handle the additional traffic the travel center will bring to that area. By Courtesy of James Randolph

NO. 8: COULD WE SEE NEW BRIDGE BEFORE MISSISSIPPI’S FIRST BUC-EE’S? SEE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Here’s when Buc-ee’s is scheduled to open and how it aligns with road work. | Published July 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Traffic slogged in Harrison County on Friday after rain made Interstate 10 slick near Menge Avenue.

NO. 9: MS COAST DRIVERS SHOULD ‘EXPECT MAJOR DELAYS’ AGAIN ON PROBLEMATIC I-10 STRETCH, AGENCY SAYS

The delays were reported Friday afternoon. | Published October 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

An MDOT traffic map shows backups Friday on Interstate 10 in Harrison County.

NO. 10: POTHOLE PROMPTS LATEST ROUND OF ‘MAJOR DELAYS’ ON I-10 NEAR FUTURE MS COAST BUC-EE’S

Here’s how long delays are expected to last in the most recent backup. | Published October 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

Buc-ee’s staff members work to prepare brisket and other specialties of the travel centers. The new Buc-ee’s in South Mississippi will create more than 200 full-time jobs. By Courtesy of Buc-ee's

NO. 11: BUC-EE’S NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR CASHIERS AND OTHER POSITIONS AT NEW SOUTH MS STORE

More than 200 full time jobs will be created at the new Buc-ee’s in Harrison County, MS. Applicants can wait for the job fair or apply online now. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.