REPLACEMENT BRIDGE UPDATES
PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEW BELLE CHASSE BRIDGE
UPCOMING BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

SOUTH SIDE OF THE NEW BRIDGE

  • August: Received approval for Phase 2.5 Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation on 7/31/24.  Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch made night of 8/4 thru morning of 8/5. Demolition remediation work and investigation work begin on 8/5/24 for the next 2 weeks.  8/5 – started jacking bridge at Bent 25.
  • July: Awaiting approval for Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation.
  • June: SW Approach asphalt paved 6/7. Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes scheduled for 6/25 but delayed by DOTD.  SW sidewalks placed 6/5-6/6. SW MSE Wall complete 6/6. Slipforming West barrier construction completed 6/21/24. Pedestrian rail installation to be completed 6/28.
  • May: SW Stage B MSE wall closure pour placed 5/13 and level up at SW Stage B MSE wall placed 5/16.   Slipforming West barrier rail installation continues. Span 26 girders set 5/8. Span 25-26 Deck placed 5/20. SW Approach placed 5/28.
  • April: SW MSE Wall construction continues. SW Stage A MSE wall closure pour placed 4/22.   Slipforming West barrier rail installation continues. Pile driving at B25 started 4/12 and completed 4/15.  Abutment work started 4/23 and abutment placed 4/30.
  • March: First Deck placement for Spans 22-24 placed 3/7/24. S22-24 Closure placed 3/19. SW MSE Wall construction continues. West barrier rail slipforming started 3/26.

 NORTH SIDE OF THE NEW BRIDGE

  • August: Received approval for Phase 2.5 Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation on 7/31/24.  Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch made night of 8/4 thru morning of 8/5. Demolition remediation work and investigation work begin on 8/5/24 for the next 2 weeks.  8/7 – planning to start jacking bridge at Bent 1.
  • July: Awaiting approval for Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation.
  • June: NW Approach Slab placed 6/15.  NW Approach and Engineers Right Turn asphalt placed 6/23-6/24 with additional asphalt work planned on Engineers Rd. Slipforming West barrier construction complete 6/21/24 with pedestrian rail installation to be completed 6/28.
  • May: NW Stage B MSE wall closure pour placed 5/14 with level up placed 5/17. Abutment placed 5/6 and Girders set 5/13. West barrier rail slipforming started 4/4/24 and continues.
  • April: Deck Span 2-3 placed 4/9. Span 2-3 closure placed 4/19.  NW MSE Wall construction continues. NW Stage A MSE wall closure pour placed 4/23.  Pile driving at B1 started 4/18 and completed 4/23. Abutment to be placed 5/3 with Girders scheduled to be set 5/13. West barrier rail slipforming started 4/4/24 and continues.
  • March: Set Girders in Span 2.  Working on Deck placement for Spans 2-3. NW MSE Wall construction continues & prepping for pile driving at B1 to start.

WORK IN THE GIWW

  • August: Inspection and touchup for Spans 12-14 East and painting P1 & P2 cap concrete.
  • July: Finish Span 12 East Stuctural Steel painting during day shift.
  • May and June: Continue painting Stuctural Steel during day and night shifts. Navigation Light installation started 4/22. 36” west barrier rebar alignment started 5/1. Barrier slipformer returned 5/28 and completed 5/29.
  • April: Continue painting Stuctural Steel during day and night shifts. Navigation Light installation started 4/22. 36” west barrier rebar alignment started 5/1. Barrier slipformer scheduled to return 5/13.
  • March: Continue painting Stuctural Steel during day and night shifts.

ALGIERS OUTFALL CANAL BRIDGE

  • Crack repairs and punch list ongoing.

 LA 23 ROADWAY NORTH OF THE GIWW & ENGINEERS ROAD

  • August: Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch approved 7/31/24 and Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch made 8/4-8/5 – including opening Engr Rd Rt Turn onto LA23SB. Phase 1 settlement remediation started 8/5. X Street drainage (2-3 weeks) and widening (3-4 weeks) to start once AT&T duct bank relocation is completed – expected 8/31/24. Entergy relocating 2 poles along X Street before widening begins. Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  Access will be provided for local traffic.
  • July: X Street drainage and widening to start once AT&T duct bank relocation is completed – expected 7/31/24. Awaiting approval for Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation.
  • June: X Street closed at west end starting Monday, 6/10/24 for AT&T duct bank relocation, drainage and widening of X Street.  Local traffic re-routed through West W St and North Tunnel Rd.  NW Approach and Engineers Right Turn asphalt completed 6/24 with additional asphalt work planned on Engineers Rd. Traffic Switch for LA23SB traffic to move to permanent LA23SB lanes scheduled for 6/25/24, but delayed by DOTD.  X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  Access will be provided for local traffic.
  • May: NW MSE Wall construction continues. NW Stage A MSE wall closure pour placed 4/23.  NW Stage B MSE wall closure pour placed 5/14 with level up placed 5/17. Engr Rd drainage finishing. Engr Rd Right Turn onto LA23SB construction continues. Sidewalk and driveway placement started week of 4/8 for upcoming road widening.  Curb and gutter installation scheduled for week of 5/6 and asphalt paving scheduled for Engineers Rd and North LA23 on 6/3 – dependent on weather.  Additional asphalt paving will be completed north of Algiers Outfall Bridge at same time.  Outfall drainage construction started 4/15 adjacent to the PP Fire Dept and last pour made 5/24.  X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  A full day closure for a drainage crossing has been delayed by weather and utility conflicts – more updates to come.  Access will be provided for local traffic. Weather will affect this schedule.
  • April: NW MSE Wall construction continues. NW Stage A MSE wall closure pour placed 4/23.  NW Stage B levelling slab placed 4/26. Engr Rd drainage continues. Engr Rd Right Turn onto LA23SB construction continues. Sidewalk and driveway placement started week of 4/8 for upcoming road widening.  Curb and gutter installation scheduled for week of 5/6 and asphalt paving scheduled for late week of 5/13 – dependent on utility relocations in the area.  Outfall drainage construction started 4/15 adjacent to the PP Fire Dept and is nearing completion.  X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  A full day closure for a drainage crossing has been delayed by weather and utility conflicts – more updates to come.  Access will be provided for local traffic. Weather will affect this schedule.
  • March: NW MSE Wall construction continues. Engr Rd drainage continues as well as Engr Rd Right Turn construction continues.

LA 23 ROADWAY SOUTH OF THE GIWW

  • August: Received approval for Phase 2.5 Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation on 7/31/24.  Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch made night of 8/4 thru morning of 8/5. Demolition remediation work and investigation work begin on 8/5/24 for the next 2 weeks.  8/5 – started jacking bridge at Bent 25. Repair work at Dr Bowen cul-de-sac to be completed.
  • July: Awaiting approval for Traffic switch for LA23SB to new bridge SB lanes to allow for Phase 1 settlement remediation.
  • June: Base installation completed 6/5. SW Approach asphalt paved 6/7. Traffic Switch for LA23SB traffic to move to permanent LA23SB lanes scheduled for 6/25/24, but delayed by DOTD. 
  • May: SW MSE Wall construction continues. SW Stage B MSE wall closure pour placed 5/13 and level up at SW Stage B MSE wall placed 5/16.   Incidental concrete at Dr Bowen placed 5/22-5/23.  Excavation in LA23 SB lanes at Barriere Rd started week of 4/8 with subbase and base installation thru week of 4/15.
  • April: SW MSE Wall construction continues. SW Stage A MSE wall closure pour placed 4/22. SW stage B levelling pad placed 4/23. Incidental concrete at Dr Bowen to be placed.  Excavation in LA23 SB lanes at Barriere Rd started week of 4/8 with subbase and base installation thru week of 4/15.
  • March: SW MSE Wall construction continues.

LOCAL ROADS

  • August: Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch approved 7/31/24 and Phase 2.5 Traffic Switch made 8/4-8/5 – including opening Engr Rd Rt Turn onto LA23SB. X Street drainage (2-3 weeks) and widening (3-4 weeks) to start once AT&T duct bank relocation is completed – expected 8/31/24. Entergy relocating 2 poles along X Street before widening begins. Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  Access will be provided for local traffic.
  • July: X Street closed at west end starting Monday, 6/10/24 for AT&T duct bank relocation. X Street drainage and widening will start once AT&T relocation is complete – expected by 7/31/24.  Local traffic re-routed through West W St and North Tunnel Rd. 
  • June: X Street closed at west end starting Monday, 6/10/24 for AT&T duct bank relocation, drainage and widening of X Street.  Local traffic re-routed through West W St and North Tunnel Rd.  Engineers Right Turn asphalt completed 6/24 with additional asphalt work planned on Engineers Rd. X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  Access will be provided for local traffic.
  • May: Dr Bowen constructed and functional.  Incidental concrete at Dr Bowen placed 5/22-5/23.  Excavation in LA23 SB lanes at Barriere Rd started week of 4/8 with subbase and base installation thru week of 4/15. Engr Rd drainage continues. Engr Rd Right Turn onto LA23SB construction continues. Sidewalk and driveway placement started week of 4/8 for upcoming road widening.  Curb and gutter installation scheduled for week of 5/6 and asphalt paving scheduled for Engineers Rd and North LA23 on 6/3 – dependent on weather.  Additional asphalt paving will be completed north of Algiers Outfall Bridge at same time.  Outfall drainage construction started 4/15 adjacent to the PP Fire Dept and is nearing completion – dependent on utility relocations.  X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  A full day closure for a drainage crossing has been delayed by weather and utility conflicts – more updates to come.  Access will be provided for local traffic. Weather will affect this schedule.
  • April: Dr Bowen constructed and functional.  Incidental concrete to be placed in April.    Outfall drainage construction started 4/15 adjacent to the PP Fire Dept. and is nearing completion.  X Street drainage upgrades started 4/8 on West end and continues east.  Drainage work from 7 AM to 5 PM with intermittent partial closures, but currently delayed by utility conflicts.  A full day closure for a drainage crossing has been delayed by weather and utility conflicts – more updates to come.  Access will be provided for local traffic. Weather will affect this schedule.
  • March: Dr Bowen constructed and functional.  Incidental concrete to be placed as utilities are finished. Water line repairs at X Street completed in March.  Drainage work starts at X Street at the end of March.

TUNNEL DECOMMISSIONING (CLOSING) OCCURRED 12/20/23

  • July & August: Demo barge being outfitted and prepped for start of Existing Lift Bridge Demo.  Preparations made for Tunnel Decommissioning.
  • Phase 2 traffic switch occurred 12/20/23 and permanently closed the tunnel to public traffic.
  • 5/20/23: Bike and pedestrian access through the tunnel closed.

UTILITIES

  • August: AT&T and Entergy working on LA23/Engr Rd/West W St relocations. AT&T working to complete by 8/31/24 and Entergy pole relocations to be completed any time now before X St widening can begin.
  • June & July: AT&T and Entergy working on LA23/Engr Rd/West W St relocations. AT&T working to complete by 7/31/24 and Entergy pole relocations to follow first week in August.
  • May: AT&T and Entergy working on LA23/Engr Rd/West W St relocations.
  • April: AT&T working on LA23/Engr Rd/West W St relocations in April.
  • March: AT&T working to get PPG permit and get released back to work.  Finalizing PP water repairs also to continue.

 

CURRENT BRIDGE/TUNNEL OPERATIONS UPDATES

Construction Timeframes

SUMMER 2020 SUMMER 2020
2020-2024 2020-2024
LATE 2023 LATE 2023
FALL 2024 FALL 2024
LATE 2024 LATE 2024

SUMMER 2020

Design input on bridge and park

2020-2024

Lane closures, construction

LATE 2023

Tunnel Permanently Closed

FALL 2024

Open new bridge

LATE 2024

Veterans Park construction starts