by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/Owner – thegazebogazette@gmail.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty released a statement through email to city officials Tuesday, July 30, 2024 discussing the updates of the pedestrian walkway on the beach path slightly west of the Pass Christian Harbor.

“The project is fully funded by GOMESA grants with no City contribution and Pass Christian has already has been awarded over $5 Million for the first two phases and hope to be awarded the funds for the final phases in 2025 and 2026,” expressed Rafferty in his statement. “The most important factor is to make a safer pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists enjoying the walkway near the beach. We are very fortunate to be partnering with the Missis- sippi Department of Marine Resources and the Harrison County Sand Beach Authority in making our City and Coast safer for generations to come.”

With deliberation from several community members, a few questions have been raised, such as the lack of public input has been inquired about.  For example, the construction of a sea wall raises questions of compliance with the American Disability Act (ADA) and whether city residents actually want this.

Undoubtedly, Rafferty further acknowledged his passion for this project across the Coast by stating, “The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Harrison County spend well over $5 Million Dollars each year to remove sand from Highway 90. The stretch of Concrete Boardwalk completed in Biloxi in 2022 has already proven to be effective in reducing the blown sand onto Highway 90, and in the process, making Highway 90 safer for motorists.”

The cost of the project in Pass Christian is approximately $10 Million and it will consist of four phases and it is fully funded by GOMESA grants with no City contribution.The result of the project will be a new pedestrian walkway goin from the Bay St. Louis Bridge in Pass Christian to the Biloxi Bridge.

Even with GOMESA Funds, Harrison County Board of Supervisors approved the project.

Front Photo: L-R: Harrison County District 3 Supervisor Dr. Marlin Ladner, Long Beach Mayor George Bass, MDMR executive director Joe Spraggins, four engineers from Covington Civil Engineering Company, Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes, Pass Christian Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich, and Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty.  This walkway will run from Hwy. 90 to Biloxi. Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP.