Cars ‘spin and slide’ on icy I-10 bridge. Police urge caution across South Mississippi
The Pascagoula Police Department is warning motorists to avoid the Interstate 10 high-rise bridge between Gautier and Pascagoula and, if they can’t, to slow down as they cross.
Temperatures remained below freezing Thursday morning, with dangerous icy conditions reported from a Wednesday afternoon snow melt and overnight re-freeze.
“Since the temps went back down to freezing, there have been five vehicles spin and slide on the icy bridge!!!” The Pascagoula Police Department posted on its Facebook page. “The driving conditions are dangerous right now. First responders are placing barricades on both sides to warn motorists not to drive on the bridge.”
Lt. Darren Versiga said no injuries were reported from the spin-and-slides. He said the bridge was down to one lane eastbound Wednesday morning, with both westbound lanes open. While a number of other key bridges closed during the historic snowfall, the Pascagoula high-rise stayed open throughout, he said.
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He said motorists need to slow down. An acceptable speed over the bridge, he said, would be 15-20 mph.
His advice holds for most roads Thursday morning in South Mississippi as a big thaw begins.
A Pascagoula police patrol car remained stationed overnight at the eastbound foot of the bridge, blue lights flashing, to encourage safe travel, Versiga said.
Icy patches remain on roads
Emergency managers on the Coast reported Wednesday afternoon that all closed bridges, including drawbridges, had reopened — with one exception. The Interstate 110 loop in Biloxi remained closed Thursday morning to eastbound U.S. 90 motorists headed north. The loop is being snowplowed and should open soon, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
While snow and ice were melting as temperatures climbed above freezing Thursday morning, driving remained risky. At 9:30 a.m., vehicles were still fishtailing and sliding in slippery spots.
Related: Snow is melting, stores are reopening and trash service resumes. Here’s the latest list
U.S. 90 from Biloxi to Gulfport was mostly clear by 10 a.m., but snow, ice and slush remained in patches. Motorists remained in danger of sliding vehicles when they hit those patches. Ice lingered on the highway along casino row in Biloxi, where resort buildings cast solid shadows over the highway.
Icy patches also remained on the Biloxi Bay Bridge and some areas of Interstate 10.
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 8:46 AM.
