Sunshine Bridge opens ahead of schedule following repairs

Published 8:42 am Sunday, August 28, 2022

Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that the Sunshine Bridge on LA 70 in St. James Parish has reopened ahead of schedule on Saturday, August 27, 2022 following repairs to a cracked structural member.

The bridge was originally scheduled to be closed most of the day Sunday, but has been reopened to traffic and is safe for travel.

Permitted loads are still prohibited from crossing at this time due to ongoing bridge inspections.

The westbound right lane had been closed since August 18th due to a significant crack in one of the 168 vertical structural members, which was discovered during a routine inspection of the bridge.

DOTD was able to expedite the repair process utilizing an emergency contract with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

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. Please let us know how we may better serve you: Customer Service Survey.