The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recently provided the public with an update on the $57.7 million LA 1 Intracoastal Bridge replacement project in West Baton Rouge Parish.
This project will replace the southbound bridge with a bridge constructed on the west side of the existing structure and realign Ernest Wilson Drive and LA 1 to connect with the new bridge. The new bridge will have three 12-foot lanes and 10-foot shoulders.
Construction will begin in April. Kiewit Louisiana Co., the contractor, anticipates construction will be completed early next year, weather permitting.
Temporary lane closures will be kept to a minimum during construction and will only be permitted for a single day from 7 p .m. to 4 a.m.
During the construction period, vehicles will remain on the current alignment, and two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction.
After the new bridge is completed, both south and northbound traffic will be shifted to the new bridge.
The LA 1 Intracoastal Bridge replacement project will be completed in two phases. Phase two consists of constructing a northbound bridge with two 12-foot lanes and 10-foot shoulders and a barrier separated exit lane for I-10 eastbound.
Phase two is scheduled to be completed in 2026.