Highway 67 now open for 19 miles - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Highway 67 now open for 19 miles

By Jeff Lawson - bio | email

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - A ribbon cutting ceremony in Biloxi Friday marked the official opening of the entire 19 mile portion of Highway 67. Motorists can now drive all the way from Interstate 110 in D'Iberville to Highway 49 in Saucier.

A few months ago, the northern portion of the highway opened to traffic. Friday's ceremony was to open the remaining 10 miles of the southern portion of 67.

It was long time coming to state Senator Tommy Gollott of Biloxi, who first suggested to his fellow legislators that Highway 67 be built.

It has taken a while. After all, that suggestion was made two decades ago.

"This is a special day. I have been waiting for this day for 20 years, " Gollott told those assembled for the ribbon cutting.

He wasn't joking. Gollott fought long and hard for this highway.

"I called it the gateway to South Mississippi," Gollott added.

He also pushed to make sure all 19 miles were four lanes. According to Southern District Highway Commissioner Wayne Brown, that decision was the right thing to do.

"A four lane highway is five times safer than a two lane highway, and over time that will save many lives," Brown said.

The highway cost about 72 million dollars to build and took more than six years from the time construction work actually started.

Brown and others agree the new highway will also serve as another evacuation route when a hurricane approaches and will certainly ease some of the traffic on Gulfport's Highway 49.