The Bayou Stumpy Bridge opened to traffic May 27th. Bayou Patout Bridge work is ongoing, with total completion expected in March 2012. However, traffic could be placed on the new Patout Bridge sometime between mid January and late February 2012.
At this time on Bayou Patout Bridge, the Electrical Subcontractor (EP Breaux Electric) is on site placing electrical conduit in the operator house. Another Subcontractor (Raybar) is on site forming up to pour concrete for the South approach slab which serves as a “transition” between the bridge and approach roadway.
The Prime Contractor (Gilchrist) has been working on balancing the swingspan portion of the bridge, and forming up to pour concrete for the rest pier riser walls. These riser walls serve as a grade (elevation) transition between the rest pier, where the swingspan wedges will lock the bridge into position when it is open to vehicular traffic, and the adjacent concrete bridge decks. Also, they are working on the constructing the tie-ins between old roadway alignment and relocated alignment on both the north and south ends of the project.
Over the next 2-3 months, work on the site will consist of placement of the hydraulic and electrical components and conduit, which will provide the power source to open and close the bridge, as well as continued construction of the operator house, fender system, concrete bridge barrier rail, traffic gates and barriers, asphaltic pavement, and placement of the last two 20’ bridge deck sections.
Learn more about the job by visiting the project’s Web page at www.dotd.la.gov. Click on “Projects” from the “Programs & Projects” section of the main menu on the left-hand side of the page and select the “Weeks Island Bridges Project” link.
You can also follow the Weeks Island Bridges Project on Facebook. Once you open a Facebook account, project information can be accessed by entering "Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development" or "Weeks Island Bridges Replacement Project" into the search field.
For additional questions or comments, or to sign up to receive e-mail updates, contact DOTD’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683) or e-mail dotdcs@la.gov. The center is open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.