Bayou Patout Bridge work is ongoing, with total completion expected in March 2012. However, traffic could be placed on the new Patout Bridge sometime in February 2012.

The Prime Contractor (Gilchrist) has completed the revetments (riprap placed at bridge ends to protect against erosion), and has completed placing the “hot mix” pavement for the north and south approach roadways at the guardrail widening areas. They are also working on the new timber fender system, and preparing to install movable bridge machinery. The Electrical Subcontractor (EP Breaux Electric) is on site placing electrical conduit in the operator house.  Another Subcontractor (Raybar) will soon be placing concrete for the bridge barrier railing.

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-foot 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.