UPDATE -- LA 485: Rocks Bayou Bridge; Natchitoches Parish; Closure and Detour
Friday, November 18, 2022 at 2:38:15 PM
UPDATE - ADJUSTED START DATE: LA 485, Bridges near Allen, Natchitoches Parish
UPDATE (11/18/2022): DOTD advises the public that the closure of the Rocks Bayou Bridge on LA 485 in Natchitoches Parish has been adjusted to begin Monday, November 28, 2022, following the Thanksgiving holiday.
This is considered Site 3 in this replacement project, and is located approximately 0.25 miles west of its intersection with I-49.
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Original notification (10/28/2022):
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, (DOTD), advises the public that on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 construction will begin LA 485’s Rocks Bayou Bridge in Natchitoches Parish and it will be closed to through traffic. This work will take place on LA 485: 0.25 miles west of its intersection with I-49.
The intent of this project is to remove and replace seven bridges in four sites along LA 485. Three of the sites are located west of I-49 and one site is east of I-49. Each of the sites will be closed to through traffic with no onsite diversions, but only one site may be closed at a time.
On November 9th, only the Rocks Bayou Bridge will be closed to traffic at this time. Related work will includes removing existing timber trestle bridges, installing embankment, constructing new concrete slab span bridges and concrete box culverts, class II base course, guardrail, hot mixed asphalt pavement, permanent striping and other related work.
The public is advised to remain alert to construction signs and changing roadway conditions along LA 485.
The project was awarded to the low bidder, Merrick, LLC, of Cottonport, LA in the amount of $13,727,495.43 and will take approximately 700 calendar days to complete all four sites. Site Three (3) is expected to be completed by the end of September 2023.
Permit/Detour section
Northbound traffic will be detoured west on LA 6 to I-49 north to LA 485.
Southbound traffic will be detoured south on I-49 to LA 6 East to LA 485.
Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Additional Information
Motorists can access the latest updates on real time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. Out of state travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Website at http://www.511la.org/. Additionally, you can follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Alex Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the La DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov/ and the DOTD Facebook page.
Media Contact Information
Mrs. Erin Buchanan
Public Information Officer 3
District 08: Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn Parishes
Phone: (318) 549-8402
Email: erin.buchanan@la.gov
Project Contacts
Mr. Jared Taylor, M.S., P.E.
Natchitoches Parish Project Engineer
Office: (318) 357-3158 or (318) 357-3159
Email: jared.taylor@la.gov
Mr. Marcus Connella, M.S., P.E.
Area Engineer for Grant, Natchitoches, and Winn Parishes
Office: (318) 561-5109
Email: marcus.connella@la.gov