OCEAN SPRINGS, MS – The sudden closure of the Hanshaw Road Bridge has left Ocean Springs drivers scrambling through detours, especially around the middle and high schools. But if the detours weren’t dizzying enough, the statements coming from city officials are making heads spin even faster.
In a report published on Monday, Alderman Rob Blackman told the Sun Herald that “the state has not explained why the bridge had to close.” However, documents obtained through a public records request show that the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction (OSARC) did provide an explanation, and the city had that information before making the closure public.
In a letter dated February 27, 2025, OSARC ordered the city to close the Hanshaw Road Bridge within 24 hours due to structural concerns. The letter stated that a “Critical Findings Report” was attached, which would outline the specific problems that led to the closure order.
GC Wire obtained the letter through a public records request, but the pages containing the critical findings were omitted.
Bridge Declared ‘Serious Condition’ as Early as December
State records reveal bridge concerns were known as early as December of last year.
The records, which are publicly available on the OSARC website, show that the bridge’s substructure, including its piers and foundation, was rated a 3 out of 9, meaning it was in “serious condition.” The superstructure and deck were rated a 5, or “fair condition.”
OSARC initially recommended closure but did not require it until the February 27 letter. That order also required the city to submit a response by March 13 stating whether it planned to repair or permanently close the bridge.
The public availability of the report adds an additional contradiction to Blackman’s statement’s to the Sun Herald that the city “is unclear what prompted the closure.”
According to the state, the Hanshaw Road Bridge carries nearly 10,000 vehicles per day. Its closure has created long delays for students and commuters. It will also likely cause problems for emergency responders needing to navigate the detours.
The city has not publicly explained what steps have been taken to secure funding for necessary repairs before the closure order.
Mayor Kenny Holloway has frequently touted his administration’s success in securing millions of dollars in grant funding for city projects, including infrastructure and beautification efforts. However, it remains unclear whether the city ever sought funding for the Hanshaw Road Bridge before the closure was mandated.
At the time of publication, neither Holloway nor Blackman responded to GC Wire media inquiries regarding whether the city had previously applied for funding or what steps it is currently taking to address the closure.
For now, the city is telling the public the bridge will remain closed “indefinitely.”
Lack of Transparency
The absence of a response from city leaders, combined with the missing Critical Findings Report, has raised concerns about transparency in how the closure was handled and how long the city has been aware of the issue.
Despite receiving OSARC’s letter on March 3, city officials allowed misinformation to spread, including Blackman’s statement that the state had not provided an explanation. The letter, which the city had in hand before the March 5 closure, contradicts that claim.
Ocean Springs residents affected by the closure continue to wait for answers on whether funding is available, when repairs will begin, and when the bridge will reopen.
GC Wire has appealed the public records request, asking for the full Critical Findings Report to also be released.
Letter from the State to Ocean Springs (use the arrow key to flip to next page):
OSARC-Letter.
Press Release issued by the City March 4, 2025:
PRESS-RELEASE-Hanshaw-Road-Bridge-Closure
