Public schools in Biloxi will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and buses will be running late this afternoon because of traffic delays at bridges over the Bay of Biloxi, Superintendent Arthur McMillan announced this afternoon.

Additionally, all school-related activities planned for Tuesday and Wednesday, such as athletic events, will be canceled or postponed.

The plan is for classes to resume at their usual times on Thursday, McMillan said.

McMillan made the announcement this afternoon to teachers and key staff members. Parents also were being notified through Connect-Ed telephone messages.

Meantime, buses will be running late this afternoon because bridges at Popp's Ferry and I-110 have opened frequently to allow marine traffic to pass.

Bridge tenders, who must give right of way to marine traffic, have opened draws to vessels as long as 15 minutes, allowing boats in groups of 20 to pass the bridge.

Delays of 45 minutes to an hour are expected.

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