91ÊÓƵ

Two lanes of the U.S. 90 bridge over the Bay of St. Louis in Mississippi reopened Thursday, more than a year and a half after the roadway was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the Associated Press reported.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) and local leaders were opened the lanes of the new $267 million bridge linking Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian, Miss., AP said.

Two other lanes, plus a sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists, are scheduled to open in November, AP reported.

About 19,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily before Katrina washed it away, forcing many motorists to endure lonmmutes around the bay, AP said.