H.004791 LA 23 ICWW/JUDGE PEREZ BRIDGE/BELLE CHASSE TUNNEL
Monday, February 26, 2018 at 10:21:32 AM
STATE PROJECT NO. H.004791; FEDERAL-AID PROJECT NO. H004791
LA 23 ICWW/JUDGE PEREZ BRIDGE/BELLE CHASSE TUNNEL
STRUCTURE NO: 02380620200432 & 02380620200621, RECALL NO: 002500 & 002510
ROUTE: LA 23
PARISH: PLAQUEMINES
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SUBJECT: NOTICE OF BRIDGE AVAILABILITY

The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration propose improvements to the LA 23 crossing of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) (approximate latitude 29.871715, longitude -90.008684). LA 23 westbound vehicular traffic currently crosses the ICWW via the LA 23 ICWW/Judge Perez Bridge (Structure No. 02380620200432, Recall No. 002500, Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory (LHRI) No. 38-00017). LA 23 eastbound vehicular traffic crosses the ICWW via the adjacent Belle Chasse Tunnel (Structure No. 02380620200621, Recall No. 002510, LHRI No. 38-00115). A number of alternatives have been considered, including rehabilitation of the bridge and tunnel, and demolition of the tunnel with replacement of the bridge. The preferred alternative, pending environmental approval, will include demolition of the tunnel and construction of a new four lane fixed bridge on an adjacent alignment to accommodate eastbound and westbound LA 23 traffic and to allow uninterrupted traffic on LA 23 and the ICWW.

The LA 23 ICWW/Judge Perez Bridge is a steel vertical lift bridge built in 1967. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion C for Design and Engineering. The bridge is being marketed for non-vehicular, adaptive re-use and historic preservation. The current LA 23 ICWW/Judge Perez Bridge, if not transferred to a new owner, would be demolished. Please visit the following LADOTD website for more information on the bridge, ownership transfer stipulations and the proposals submission requirements:
http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/Engineering/Historic_Bridge_Marketing/Pages/default.aspx.

To be considered, applicants must submit a written statement of interest to Mr. Carey Coxe of LADOTD by email at carey.coxe@la.gov or mail to the address above, postmarked by May 22, 2018. For additional information, contact Carey Coxe by email or telephone at (225) 242-4520.