Cruisin’ the Coast, not unlike other major events in Biloxi, will see traffic cones going down on parts of U.S. 90, but Biloxi Police say it could be a case similar to this year’s Scrapin’ the Coast: There may be no reason to reserve a lane of traffic for emergency vehicles.
As part of the traffic plan, cones will be placed in the center of traffic, from White Avenue to DeBuys Road for eastbound traffic, and from DeBuys Road to I-110 for westbound traffic.
“We don’t want to diminish the great success of Cruisin’, or any event for that matter,” says Biloxi Police Chief John Miller, “but with the growth of the event, and a record number of Cruisers expected this year, we have to be vigilant and prepared, and if traffic gridlocks, we have to be able to move emergency vehicles. If that happens, the cones needs to be in place, and the left lane would be for emergency vehicles only.”
A copy of the city’s Cruisin’ traffic plan has been included in informational packets that Cruisin’ organizers are giving to all Cruisers. The city’s B-Alert texting service – text BILOXI to 888777 – will post traffic advisories regularly and will give notice if the traffic plan will be implemented.
Police used the plan years ago for Spring Break, and resurrected it a year ago when that event caused gridlock. Similar traffic plans are in place for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and Scrapin’ the Coast.
“In all cases,” Miller says, “the cones have to go in place before traffic picks up. With Scrapin’ we didn’t even have to implement the one lane of traffic, and we think that will be the case with Cruisin’, but our job is to be prepared.”
The biggest issues for police, Miller says, is with unregistered vehicles: “People come over to view the cars, and they then join the event. I don’t know why, but we see more traffic violations from people who are actually spectators. It’s usually reckless driving or spinning tires, and, while it may not seem like a big deal, we regularly see people lose control of their vehicles when doing that.
“The Cruisers, on the other hand, are a fun crowd. They usually have a lot of money invested in their vehicles, and they’re very proud and want people to see them. We have very few problems with them, and we certainly welcome them to our city.”
See the Cruisin’ traffic plan
See the Cruisin’ website and schedule of events
Cruisin’ news & notes
Biloxi Block Party: The City of Biloxi will host its Downtown Biloxi Cruisin’ The Coast Block Party on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live entertainment featuring award-winning Elvis tribute artist Garry Wesley. Parking begins at 6 a.m. and is first come. To see the flyer, click here.
Beach views: Treasure Bay will once again host its popular Car Corral at its beachside site during Cruisin’ the Coast. It opens Wednesday, Oct. 3 and runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Big wheels: Gov. Phil Bryant and First Lady Deborah Bryant, longtime car aficionados, will host “Field of Wheels,” an exotic car show Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MGM Park. Admission is free.
On the Edge: One of the most popular spots in Biloxi is the Edgewater Mall outdoor stage, situated on the west side of the mall and open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-6, from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. And, yes, it’s free.
Fun, fun, fun: The Beach Boys perform in concert on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5-6 in the Beau Rivage Theatre, while next door, on Friday, Oct. 5 at the Hard Rock you can find a reincarnation of The Rat Pack, with Frank, Dean & Sammy.
KAFB gates: Keesler Air Force Base will adjust gate hours during Cruisin’ The Coast. White Avenue gate will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 until 4 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8; Meadows Drive gate will be open 24 hours a day throughout the weekend until 4 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8 with normal hours of operation resuming at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9; and Pass Road gate will remain open 24 hours a day.
