BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) was presented with an award last week by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the "under budget, large project" award category for completing the I-10 Twin Span Bridge under budget.
DOTD was presented with the award at the annual Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.
"The Twin Span Bridge project is a great example of how DOTD strives to complete projects on time and within budget," said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. "We are grateful to be honored by AASHTO for our efforts."
The Twin Span Bridge, which crosses Lake Pontchartrainon Interstate 10 to link the cities of Slidell and New Orleans, was destroyed on August 29, 2005, by the storm surge from Hurricane Katrina.
DOTD successfully let the first construction project to build a new Twin Span Bridge in April 2006 – less than 8 months after the original bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The new structure, which was completed in September 2011, is taller, wider and more robust than its four-lane predecessor. The modern, six-lane structure has helped to relieve congestion, improve mobility and enhance safety for the more than 55,000 drivers who make a daily trip across Lake Pontchartrain.
The project was completed for a total of $733 million – nine percent lower than its original estimated budget of $803 million. The Federal Highway Administration provided total funding for the effort because I-10 is a critical national corridor.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.
For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).