In order to facilitate traffic while construction is ongoing, a temporary detour bridge was built along the east side of LA 20. Bridge inspectors regularly inspect the structural integrity of this bridge and will close it if it is deemed unsafe for motorists.
Crews recently paved the bridge approaches for the temporary bridge. Once the contractor has secured the proper equipment, work will resume and pile operations will begin on the permanent bridge project. Currently, the contractor is waiting on the necessary equipment to arrive on site, which is being transported from out of state.
The project was originally estimated to be completed in spring 2022, however, equipment and material delays have extended construction times. While DOTD cannot manage a contractor’s schedule, the department has certain authorities within the contract to impose liquidated damages once a contractor has surpassed their contract limits.
This $11.6 million project will replace the current bridge over Bayou Chevreuil with a new wider and longer structure that will be built along the same horizontal alignment as the current one. Once completed, the bridge will be 40 feet wide and 835 feet long, as well as approximately three and a half feet higher from the midpoint and six and a half feet higher at both ends than the existing bridge.
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The Bayou Chevreuil Bridge Replacement project is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2024, weather permitting.
