REPLACEMENT BRIDGE UPDATES
POST HURRICANE IDA UPDATE
- The Belle Chasse Bridge is back to 24/7 operation, which resumed on Monday, September 6, 2021.
- Limited construction activities began on September 8, 2021 with additional work to resume as more power is restored, additional workers return, and Plaquemines Parish and southern Louisiana open back up to normal activity.
UPCOMING BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
- South side of the New Bridge: Construction work continues with preparations to set girders.
- North side of the New Bridge: Sheet pile installation, pile driving, concrete footings, columns, and pier caps to continue.
- Work in the GIWW: USCG permit received 4/29/22 and channel closure approval for MP2 template received 5/2/22. MP2 template set 5/2 and cofferdam sheet pile installation to continue for the next two weeks followed by excavation inside the cofferdam.
- Algiers Outfall Canal Bridge: Contractor mobilized on site 4/18 and started pile driving. Demolition of the bridge rail and caps to start in the next week.
- LA 23 Roadway & Engineers Road: Bridge rail demo to occur over next two weeks at Algiers Outfall Canal Bridge. Demo, excavation, subbase, and base for detour paving along Engineers Road started 4/18/22, started along LA-23 SB 4/27/22 and started along LA-23 NB 5/5/22. Work will continue over the next few weeks to complete detour paving
- Local Roads: Railroad Street layout and preparatory work on going for upcoming detour paving and Railroad Street Extension. Start dates dependent on utility relocation completion in area. Demolition and subbase to start in next couple weeks.
- Utilities: Entergy, AT&T, Unity, and Cox relocations continue along LA23 and on local cross streets and adjacent streets throughout the project. Atmos completed relocations in same areas. Removal of poles for east side roadway started 5/5/22 and relocations complete by 5/16/22. Paving to follow once utility relocations and preparatory work along LA 23 and Engineers Road are complete.
PRESS RELEASES
April 20, 2022 – Plenary Announces Extended Alternating Lane Closure On LA23 – Algiers Outfall Canal Bridge – CLICK TO READ MORE
April 4, 2022 – Plenary Announces Railroad Crossing Closures Along LA23 – CLICK TO READ MORE
April 4, 2022 – Plenary Announces Extended Alternating Lane Closures – CLICK TO READ MORE
March 4, 2022 – Plenary announces alternating lane closure to resume next week on LA23 – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- February 24, 2022 – Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse Announces Temporary Lane Striping on LA23 – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- February 9, 2022 – Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse Announces Water Service Interruption – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- January 11, 2022 – Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse Announces Alternating Lane Closures on the Belle Chasse Bridge Northbound LA23 – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- November 8, 2021 – Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse Announces Annual Inspection of Belle Chasse Bridge – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- November 5, 2021 – Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse to Host November Community Engagement Events – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- October 25, 2021 – RESCHEDULED October Belle Chasse Tunnel Cleaning – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- June 7, 2021 – Upcoming Closure of Burmaster Street – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- May 3, 2021 – Closure Affecting North Tunnel Road and North Laydown Area – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 20-25, 2021 – Closure Affecting Belle Chasse Tunnel – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 12, 2021 – GROUNDBREAKING – Belle Chasse Bridge & Tunnel Replacement Project – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- April 1, 2021 – Short-term Closure on Northbound Left Lane of LA23 Belle Chasse Bridge – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- March 1, 2021 – Preconstruction Efforts Initiated on Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement Project – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- February 26-28, 2021 – Tunnel Cleaning and Inspection – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- February 24, 2021 – AT&T Conducting Work in Veterans Park – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
- February 5, 2021 – Closure Update – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
CURRENT BRIDGE/TUNNEL OPERATIONS UPDATES
OUR PROGRESS
BEFORE
AFTER
Sand, silt and debris is excavated from drainage channels and bagged for disposal
BEFORE
AFTER
Pavement markings and walls tunnel cleaning
TUNNEL CLEANING OVERVIEW
Monthly Tunnel Cleaning Date
Tunnel cleanings are normally scheduled on Wednesdays each month. At which time, the southbound lanes of LA 23 through the Belle Chasse Tunnel are closed from 7 p.m. on Wednesday until Thursday morning at 5 a.m. The closure is necessary to allow crews to clean the tunnel. All work is weather permitting. As an alternate route, motorists can take the Belle Chasse Bridge (LA 23) in either direction. (NOTE: This date may change.)
- June 8, 2022
TUNNEL INSPECTION OVERVIEW
2021 Scheduled Dates
The Federal Government requires tunnel inspections to be conducted every two years. Closure of the tunnel is necessary to allow crews to perform the inspection. All work is weather permitting. As an alternate route, motorists can take the Belle Chasse Bridge (LA 23) in either direction.
The inspections take place from 6:30a.m. until 5:30p.m. on the following dates:
- February 27, 2021
- February 28, 2021