Bridges on LA 20 widening project to get updated design
Friday, September 11, 2026 at 3:09:13 PM
St. James and Lafourche parishes — Construction on the LA 20 widening project was temporarily suspended earlier this year because of excessive settlement at the approach slabs where widening was taking place at the Bayou Chevreuil Bridge and the smaller bridge near the Lafourche Parish line. The poor subsurface soil conditions led to unexpected settlement, and recent geotechnical analysis revealed approximately 30 feet of highly organic material.
Rather than proceed with work that could later require significant ongoing maintenance, DOTD is developing a permanent solution that will prolong the life of the new bridges. Under the proposed changes, the affected slabs will be removed and replaced using a new design.
Revisions of the plan are continuing and demolition of the approach slabs will begin mid-October.
The contractor will begin removing the existing approach slabs in late October. Installation of the new bridge slabs will begin after the existing approach slabs have been removed. DOTD will continue to provide updates to the construction schedule as these efforts progress. The road should remain completely operable, aside from intermittent closures during the removal of approach slabs. Once the new bridge construction begins one lane will be open at all times.
“The safety of the traveling public is always our top priority,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “The updated design was a proactive and responsible decision so that we can address these soil conditions now and deliver a safer, more durable improvement to this important corridor.”
The new Bayou Chevreuil Bridge and the ongoing 3.1-mile widening project north and south of the bridge are part of more than 12 miles of safety-related widening improvements along LA 20. Another project, which will widen more than five miles of LA 20 from LA 304 north to Bayou Chevreuil, is scheduled to go to bid later this fall. These projects are part of significant investment in this region.
“I appreciate the public’s patience as DOTD works through these challenges,” said Rep. Ken Brass of District 58. “Taking the time to develop a permanent solution now will help ensure this project is completed the right way and provides a safer, more reliable corridor for years to come. We ask for the public’s continued patience as construction moves forward.”
“It is not ideal that construction has been paused, but the long-term solution will be beneficial for many years once this project is completed,” Rep. Bryan Fontenot of District 55 said. “I commend DOTD for taking the necessary steps to make this project successful and for their continued attention to the important LA 20 corridor.”
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