Harrison County

Looking back at 7 ways Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s affected Interstate 10

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

The construction of a new Buc-ee’s in Mississippi is transforming the Menge Avenue interchange along I-10, prompting significant infrastructure upgrades to manage anticipated traffic increases. Harrison County has invested $15 million in the interchange redesign, which includes demolishing and rebuilding a wider overpass, along with expanding lanes and ramps. These upgrades are part of preparations to accommodate the $50 million, 74,000-square-foot travel center set to open in 2025, featuring extensive fueling stations and retail space.

The efforts highlight how retail growth can spur major public infrastructure investments, though ongoing road closures and detours have led to delays and challenges for local drivers. The project underscores the intersection of urban planning and commerce, as other developments are expected to follow in Buc-ee's footsteps.

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.

Drivers are enticed to stop at Buc-ee’s travel centers with catchy billboards along the interstates. South Mississippi is waiting for construction to begin for it’s Buc-ee’s and new I-10 interchange. By Mary Perez

NO. 1: WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN ON THE FIRST BUC-EE’S IN MISSISSIPPI? HERE’S THE LATEST.

New lanes on Interstate 10 is the first step and that’s coming soon. Here’s everything you need to know. | Published June 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Interstate 10 near the County Farm Road and Long Beach exit (28) in Harrison County.

NO. 2: AFTER DAYS OF TRAFFIC DELAYS, NO CONGESTION EXPECTED ON I-10 NEAR MS COAST BUC-EE’S SITE

Rejoice! Here’s how long the smooth traffic will last near Pass Christian. | Published July 7, 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. 3: I-10 OVERPASS CLOSES ON THE MS COAST TO MAKE WAY FOR BUC-EE’S. WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW.

Here’s how to navigate construction on I-10 and what’s next for work at Menge Avenue interchange. | Published July 10, 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: BRIDGE DEMO AND OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF I-10 AT BUC-EE’S SITE IS DELAYED. HERE ARE THE DETAILS

I-10 westbound will still close for a night to remove the bridge span at exit 24. Here’s more. | Published August 4, 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. 5: 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

Heavy equipment is preparing the site of a massive new Buc-ee’s travel center at the Menge Avenue exit of I-10 in South Mississippi.

NO. 6: WORK STARTS ON FIRST BUC-EE’S IN MS. WHAT ABOUT I-10 LABOR DAY TRAFFIC NEAR THE SITE?

Road crews are off for the holiday weekend. Here’s what that means for lane closures on the interstate. | Published September 1, 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. 7: I-10 CLOSING AGAIN FOR ROADWORK NEAR SOUTH MISSISSIPPI BUC-EE’S SITE. THE DATE’S CHANGED

Crews have been working since the summer on the $15 million interchange that will accommodate Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s Travel Center. | Published March 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

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.