DOTD Announces Rehab Project for Basin Bridge

The I-10 bridge over the Atchafalaya Basin. Most of us have a love-hate relationship with that structure. I know I do. I hate driving on it and I love it when I am finally off of the bridge. My reasons are like yours, the bridge traffic can go from flowing freely to a dead stop in a moment's notice and when it does. You're usually there for a while.

Back in August of 2019, there was a very serious crash on the bridge. In that crash, several tractor-trailer rigs were involved and at least one of those rigs caught fire. The heat intensity generated by that fire actually damaged the roadbed of the bridge floor.

Just to be clear, the bridge is structurally sound, it's just the roadbed that was damaged. In order to fix that damage, the Louisiana Department of Transportation has announced that crews will begin work on January 17th.

The work area will be confined to the roadway between Whiskey Bay and mile marker 125. That's basically the scene of the fiery crash from August. Should all go smoothly and Mother Nature cooperates DOTD officials hope to have the rehab project completed by January 27th. 

To facilitate the work there will be a single lane closure on I-10 westbound during the weekends from 9 p.m. on Fridays to 6 a.m. on Mondays. Motorists are encouraged to use a detour route using LA 415 to U.S. 190 to I-49 back to I-10.