DOTD announces eastbound lane opening on Sunshine Bridge
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 12:39:12 PM
BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, both eastbound lanes of the Sunshine Bridge will be open for thru traffic. The emergency structural repairs to the bridge are complete and crews are working to make preparations to begin work on a maintenance project that was scheduled prior to the October 2018 collision.

In order to begin construction, the westbound lanes will have a temporary, intermittent closure from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, March 25, to allow crews to adjust the concrete barriers. This maintenance project includes replacing the finger joints of the approach spans, restoring the approach girder splices, and repairs to the top chord safety handrails.

The two eastbound lanes will be open for travel and the outside westbound lane will be the only westbound lane open while crews continue maintenance work. Additional westbound lane shifts will occur before the project is completed. There are no weight restrictions in either directions, however, the westbound lane will be restricted to 10-feet in width.

Maintenance work is estimated to be completed summer 2019, weather permitting. All construction activity is weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. DOTD appreciates the motoring public’s patience and reminds drivers to please exercise caution when traveling through work zone areas and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

During the remaining time before the bridge completely reopens, commuters are reminded to take advantage of Commuter Krewe (https://www.commuterkrewe.la/). Motorists may also use the Plaquemine ferry and Veterans Memorial Bridge as detours to cross the river.

Call 511 or visit 511la.org for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.