A $2 million contract has been awarded to rebuild a drawbridge on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that was heavily damaged when barges collided with the span.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation says Joe McGee Construction Co. of Lake, Miss., will rebuild the Popps Ferry Bridge in Biloxi.

The heavily traveled bridge on Biloxi’s Back Bay was closed last month after the barge accident. Two 90-foot sections of the bridge were destroyed along with eight pylons.

The department says it was successful in obtaining Federal Highway Emergency funds to be used for the work.

MDOT Director Butch Brown said the bridge should be reopened to vehicular traffic by the end of the month.