MacArthur Interchange Improvements ramp demolition and closure to begin
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 12:43:11 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces the closure of the westbound U.S. 90B (West Bank Expressway) Manhattan Boulevard on-ramp to the elevated expressway beginning Friday, May 1 at 9 p.m. The closure is expected to last through March 2016.
The closure is the next step in the $35.3 million Phase IB of the Macarthur Interchange Improvements project. The project will require the demolition and relocation of the existing on-ramp in order to accommodate the new westbound exit ramp that will exit onto the service road, just east of Maple Avenue. Westbound motorists may detour through the Harvey Tunnel and use the Macarthur entrance ramp to enter the elevated expressway. Phase IB is scheduled for completion in June 2016.
Phase IA, completed in April 2014, involved relocating the service road and utilities to accommodate the future down ramp that will exit motorists just east of Maple Ave. Under Phase IB, which immediately followed the completion of Phase IA, the tunnel entrance was reconstructed to accommodate pier construction and thirteen columns have been constructed for the future relocated westbound Manhattan up ramp. All prior work served to minimize the duration of the closure. The work is being performed by James Construction Group, LLC.
With approximately 65,000 daily commuters traveling that segment of U.S. 90B, the project – also referred to as Peters Road Ramps – is designed to increase capacity. It consists of two phases to address the westbound lanes (Phase I) and, later, the eastbound lanes (Phase II). Phase II, estimated at $30-$50 million, will include the relocation of an exit ramp, construction of an entrance ramp and some at-grade roadway improvements. Funding has not yet been identified.
In an effort to expedite the construction of Phase I, DOTD divided Phase I of the project into Phases IA (the roadway portion of project) and IB (the bridge portion of the project).
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)
Additionally, motorists can utilize the "Way to Geaux" application to receive real-time, around the clock travel alerts. The hands-free, eyes-free “smart phone” application can be downloaded on any iPhone or Android device by visiting either the iTunes App Store, or Google Play.
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www.dotd.la.gov