Pelican State News

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced the commencement of a $17.5 million project to replace the Bayou Bienvenue Bridge in New Orleans. The bridge, part of LA 47/Paris Rd, is located about 5.5 miles south of the I-10/I-510 interchange and just over a mile south of the "Green Bridge," which is also undergoing rehabilitation.

The DOTD will keep the public informed throughout the project by providing updates on lane closures via its MyDOTD service. To maintain vehicle access during construction, the bridge replacement will occur in three phases:

In Phase 1, work will be conducted in the median of LA 47 to prepare for traffic shifts to all northbound lanes. Phase 2 will involve shifting all traffic to these northbound lanes, with one travel lane available in each direction, while the existing southbound bridge is demolished and replaced. Finally, in Phase 3, traffic will move to the newly constructed southbound lanes as the existing northbound bridge undergoes demolition and replacement.

Emergency vehicles will have continued access to the area throughout construction. The project is expected to conclude by Summer or Fall of 2026.

Residents can sign up for free notifications through MyDOTD by visiting DOTD’s homepage at dotd.la.gov. The department urges motorists to exercise caution when driving through construction zones and remain alert for workers and equipment.