Coast Transit Authority (CTA) is happy to announce that construction of the new CTA Tram Bridge is now complete. The bridge will be open to the public for pedestrian and bicycle activity on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The CTA Tram Bridge will provide a safe, direct connection between the CTA Gulfport Transit Center and Mississippi Aquarium to the City of Gulfport’s Jones Park.
“We hope everyone will come out this weekend to enjoy the forecasted nice weather and your new bridge,” said Kevin Coggin, CTA Executive Director.
The bridge was under construction for two years. It was designed by local architect firm Eley Guild Hardy Architects. It was built by Mississippi contractor Malouf Construction. CTA is proud of the fact that the project is three months ahead of schedule and on budget. Funding for the project was provided by U.S. DOT, the City of Gulfport, and the Mississippi Development Authority, coordinated by Kevin Coggin, Executive Director of Coast Transit Authority.
The purpose of the bridge is to provide safer and more efficient access to Jones Park and the Gulfport Harbor when crossing Highway 90. The bridge will have a seventy-year life span requiring minimal scheduled maintenance. In addition to ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the bridge will accommodate a tram trolley from the CTA Gulfport Transit Center and Mississippi Aquarium that will operate initially from March through Labor Day, during the operating hours of the Mississippi Aquarium. It will also operate in support of major events held in Jones Park. This propane-fueled, low emission trolley will shuttle back and forth across Highway 90. It will be fare free, which offers quick hop-on hop-off service.
Visitors to large events held in Jones Park can now park in the CTA Parking Garage adjacent to the Mississippi Aquarium and walk into Jones Park or ride the free ADA accessible CTA tram trolley. An example of one such event is the recent Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival that had 117,000 visitors.
For additional information call 228-896-8080 or visit www.coasttransit.com. Follow Coast Transit Authority on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay in the loop!