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20 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007
BRIDGES OVER THE BAY • THE SEA COAST ECHO
1953: $92M bridge opens tomorrow
(Editor's note: This was the lead story in The Sea Coast Echo's Friday, July 31,1953 issue)
Gala ceremonies mark the dedication of the new Bay St. Louis four-lane Bridge beginning at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, but it'll be midnight before cars start rolling through the toll stations to mark the end of an era.
The weather forecast calls for possible scattered thundershowers. O.W. Delph, chairman of the Bay St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and the man who heads the ceremonies committee, said a canopy covers the speakers' stand and it may be possible to interrupt the ceremonies temporarily to let a shower
blow over.
Mr. Delph cited the heads of his individual committees for their vital work in making the occasion possible.
The old bridge, which was getting downright famous for its deep holes and many fires, has served the motoring public since 1928. But tomorrow the old order changeth, and the latest thing in bridge construction will be unveiled to the public.
The $9,200,000 structure, built under the direction of Merritt-Chapmann & Scott, is part of a four-lane expressway which will eventually run from Mobile to New Orleans. Original plans called for it to open to the public at 5 p.m. after ceremonies. Construction
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Superintendent Rod Hand said things could have been worse, "We were blessed by good weather," he said.
He credits William Denny, executive vice-president, of his firm for key direction.
Hand calls this a "mass production" bridge because of the unique system by which parts were constructed at Henderson Point and floated into place.
With the Gulfport Municipal Band playing music, the coast motorcade will arrive at 3:30 p.m. to start the ceremonies. The Rev. Charles R. Johnson, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation. The Clement R. Bontemps American Legion Post 139 will advance the colors, and the National
Anthem will be played.
Attorney Dan M. Russell, Jr., of Bay St. Louis the master of ceremonies, will give the address of welcome. Then Misses Harriet Davis of Pascagoula, Dona Eglin of Ocean Springs, Sandra Lee of Biloxi and Billy Joyce Rhodes of Gulfport will merge waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Fountain of Youth.
Mrs. Eugene Mogabgab, of the	Bay-Waveland
Garden Club, will present a historical marker to the City of Bay St. Louis. Mayor John Scafide will accept it for the city. Recognition of Dean McLemore of Mississippi Southern and Prof. TJ. Broadus of Pass Christian will follow, and
Irma Joan Lee Bay St. Louis' Miss Hospitality will unveil the marker.
Commissioner Smith, Miss Hospitality, (Edna Kayat of Moss Point), and Miss Mississippi (Suzanne Dugger of Picayune) will cut the ribbon.
Monsignor Andrew H. Gmelch of Our Lady of the Guld Catholic Church will deliver the benediction.
Color bearers Joe Compretta and Sam Benigno and Color Guards Leroy Luke and Frank Taconi have been assigned by the American Legion to participate in the flag ceremonies. Official Legion representatives are John D. Rutherford, commander of the 17th District, and Lucien Kidd Post 139 Commander.
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