DOTD, LDWF, Iberville Parish partner for pedestrian service across Intracoastal Canal in Iberville Parish
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 1:15:09 PM
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Iberville Parish have begun a service to transport pedestrians across the Intracoastal Canal in Iberville Parish via pontoon boat beginning Saturday while DOTD and its contractor work to repair the heavily damaged La. 77 bridge.
“We appreciate LDWF and officials in Iberville Parish for their efforts to work with DOTD to develop this pedestrian service across the canal,” said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. “DOTD is working diligently with its contractor to repair and reopen the bridge as quickly as possible.”
LDWF is providing a transportation vessel that will be used for the service. The transportation vessel will run seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said, “I am pleased that LDWF is able to assist in lessening the impacts to residents affected by the bridge closure. We will continue to work with DOTD and local officials throughout the closure to address the transportation needs of residents in this area.”
The La. 77 bridge over the Intracoastal Canal has been closed to traffic since Friday, February 28, after being struck by a barge. DOTD has executed an emergency contract to expedite repairs to the bridge. The damage is extensive, and repairs are expected to take 60 to 90 days minimum to complete.
For drivers not utilizing the new service, the detour from the east side of the bridge (closest to Plaquemine) is La. 77 toward Plaquemine, north on La. 1, west on I-10, then take the La. 77 Grosse Tete exit. From the west side (closest to Grosse Tete), take La. 77 to I-10 eastbound, exit La. 1 southbound toward Plaquemine to La. 77.
Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511la.org.
Additionally, motorists can utilize the new "Way to Geaux" application to receive real-time, around-the-clock travel alerts. The hands-free, eyes-free smartphone application can be downloaded on any iPhone or Android device by visiting the iTunes App Store, or Google Play.
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www.dotd.la.gov