Update: Holiday traffic problem affecting I-10 drivers in South MS near new Buc-ee’s

A traffic backup that began around 11 a.m. is still affecting drivers at 4 p.m. Monday in a construction-filled area of Interstate 10 that has seen Mississippi Coast drivers face intermittent congestion for months.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation originally warned eastbound drivers to “expect major delays” in between exits 16 (Bay St. Louis) and 28 (Long Beach) from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., MDOT posted that the major delays can be expected to continue for another two hours.

An MDOT traffic map at 4 p.m. showed eastbound backups began just before Kiln Delisle Road, and stretch beyond Menge Avenue, where crews are working to build a new Buc-ee’s Travel Center.

The stretch of I-10 in Hancock and Harrison counties is filled with construction projects and has been plagued with backups in recent months. Construction to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction has also led to potholes MDOT says can be up to 10 inches deep and over 10 feet long.

The agency said Monday it was making emergency repairs to resurface and repave the road and warned drivers to expect alternating lane closures.

This story was originally published February 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM.