Tourists and visitors to Ship Island will now share it with construction workers.

A long-awaited Hurricane Katrina rebuilding project will last through the summer season. The construction should have very little effect on people planning to visit the popular barrier island.

Louis Skrmetta, owner of Skrmetta’s Ship Island Excursions, says he began ferrying visitors there two weeks ago. The excursion boats will keep running through October.

Gulf Islands Park Ranger Jim Graves says workers are rebuilding visitor amenities, including a snack bar and picnic pavilion plus the Ranger residence.

Signs warn island visitors to stay clear of the construction zone.

Along with the construction projects, the National Park Service is also planning repairs to historic Fort Massachusetts. That work hasn’t started yet.