DOTD changes signals to address extra congestion related to Sunshine Bridge closure
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 2:30:09 PM
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is implementing a new signal-timing sequence at the La. 3127/La. 20 intersection. Technicians will be on site at this intersection to monitor congestion and will operate the signal manually if the new timings are not sufficiently moving traffic.

Technicians will also be staged at the intersections of:

• LA 3125/LA 3213
• LA 3125/LA 3274
• US 61/LA 641

These changes are necessary because of the extra volume on detour routes related to the closure of the Sunshine Bridge, La. 70, after a barge carrying a crane collided with the bridge causing extensive damage to key components of the bridge.

“The collision happened on a Friday and we monitored traffic throughout the weekend,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “With light weekend traffic and schools being out on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday will be the largest traffic day since the incident occurred. It’s an industry best practice to monitor the traffic patterns after a major incident and adjust accordingly. There is a good chance we will make more adjustments before the bridge is reopened in an effort to minimize impacts where we can. The Department continues to work with local and state law enforcement and elected officials to try and mitigate as much of the congestion as possible. We ask that people who normally use the Sunshine Bridge to plan ahead and be prepared for more congestion than usual on other routes.”

DOTD has also adjusted the Plaquemine ferry schedule.

During the duration of the Sunshine Bridge closure, additional ferry service hours will be:

• Monday thru Friday, a second boat will run from 5:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Monday thru Friday, the first boat will run 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, the first boat will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: the second boat will run from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m

Motorists are also encouraged to use the Veterans Memorial Bridge as an alternate river crossing.

The Sunshine Bridge/LA 70 remains closed indefinitely due to the damage caused by a barge collision Friday morning. DOTD will continue to monitor traffic patterns and adjust the ferry schedule accordingly.

Call 511 or visit www.511la.org for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-800-ROAD-511 (1-800-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at http://www.dotd.la.gov/, by selecting MYDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.