When completed, an 18-mile elevated roadway and fixed high-level bridge between Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon on the Gulf Coast will replace the existing La. 1, which is prone to flooding because of subsidence and coastal erosion. Estimated cost for completed project: $1.3 billion.

Phase 1 (four segments)

Phase 1B and 1C now under way

• Phase 1B, which includes the bridge approaches to the bridge at Leeville and the connectors to the existing La. 1 roadway, is set for completion by December 2009 at a cost of $141.4 million.
• Phase 1C, which is construction of the actual fixed high-level bridge over Bayou Lafourche at Leeville, should be completed by March 2008 at a cost of $20.2 million.

Phase 1A and 1D to be let

• Bids on Phase 1A, about 6 miles of elevated roadway from Leeville south to Port Fourchon, are expected to be let in the fall, with anticipated completion by December 2010.
• Bids on Phase 1D, which includes the toll facility north of Leeville, lighting and the infrastructure for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) on La. 1, will be opened in the second quarter of 2007, with completion expected by August 2008. This contract also has stipulated damages attached.

When all four parts of Phase 1 are complete, the La. 1 project between Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon will be approximately one-third complete.

Phase 2

• Construction of the elevated roadway on the 9.5 miles between Leeville north to Golden Meadow.

When Phase 1 and Phase 2 are complete, the La. 1 project between Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon will be approximately one-half complete.

Phase 3

• Construction of a second, two-lane elevated roadway from Leeville south to Port Fourchon.

Phase 4

• Construction of a second, two-lane elevated roadway from Leeville north to Golden Meadow.  

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