Construction of the work trestles (a structure consisting of spans supported upon frame bents) at the Mississippi River crossing is at a standstill due to the high water, but work continues on the 12 miles of two-lane roadway approaches and 8 conventional bridges that will connect LA 1 east of Hospital Road at New Roads to US 61 south of LA 966 at St. Francisville.
Work is being done in the Prefabrication Yard where testing is being performed on the jacking system used for lowering and raising pre-cast formwork panels. Piles (a shaft-like linear member which carries loads through weak layers of soil to those which are capable of supporting such loads) are currently being driven for many of the conventional bridges. Grading and drainage work continues on the west side.
Work on the trestles will resume when the water level is safe to do so and is being monitored daily for changes in the water level. Once these work trestles are complete this will allow crews to continue work on the main bridge structure despite river conditions.
Box culverts on the west side. On the right side, surcharge soil has been placed on the embankment for compaction.
A Pier of the Main Span is underwater. The river has flooded the side on the East bank.
The foundation shafts and the access ramp to the trestle are underwater. The trestle is just above water.
A pier of the Main Span. Only the top of the shafts are visible. The access trestle on the left is at elevation +54 ft and is a few feet above water.
View of the west access to the Main Span. The west storage area is visible at the top of the photo, beyond the levee and LA 981. The protruding pipe piles are the top of the templates needed for the installation of the shafts. The top of the steel casing of the shafts is barely visible in the river.
Photos provided by Tommy Comeaux with The Pointe Coupee Banner
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