Bridge Re-opens

An important corridor for Vicksburg is officially open, reconnecting an area that's been closed off since 2009.  The Washington Street Bridge is the main corridor between downtown Vicksburg and Interstate-20.  The 8.6-million dollar project opened at noon.

"For the first year-and-a-half there was no entrance to downtown Vicksburg," recalls the General Manager at Diamond Jacks Hotel and Casino.

Felicia Gavin says the closed bridge contributed to an already down economy.

"It’s been very inconvenient for our guests to have to detour," explains Gavin.

The bridge was supposed to open last September, but there were several weather-related delays.

"Even for us locals trying to go to places like Wal-mart or the mall we had to do detours," adds a Vicksburg resident.

Andrew Dawson says the bridge re-opening comes at a good time.

"We have a grocery store about to open in downtown and we have a couple of new restaurants about to open," expresses Dawson.

Phil Tremain says the three years that the bridge was closed, his sales suffered.

"My business has been off about 30- to 40-percent," the pawn shop owner tells News Channel 12.

And, with the traffic flowing, he's hoping 2012 will be a good year.

"We hope to do a little more advertising and increase our sales and loan more money and pay a little more for gold," continues Tremain.

John walker says his car wash and detail shop was suffering.  When people called for directions, they got lost because his shop was in between two detours.

"I cut back jobs.  Everything was slow, business was slow," claims Walker.

Now with the bridge back open, Walker hopes to hire more people when business picks back up.

"I may put someone out in front of the shop with a sign flagging them down," laughs Walker.

The 82-year-old bridge had to be closed because of river bank erosion.  It has been replaced by a tunnel and roadbed.