My Huey P.

Did you know since 1992, there have been 166 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana work zones? Nationally, over the last 10 years, the annual number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones has increased 45 percent. More than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.

With the recent lane closures on the Huey P. Long Bridge, and the lane closures that are still to come, what better time than now to promote safe driving in work zones?

This week is National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. In recognition of this important cause, we’ve launched “Geaux Orange: Drive Safe on the Huey”. “Geaux Orange” reminds motorists to be mindful of construction zones and workers on the bridge.

“Geaux Orange” safety team members will be in the community throughout the week speaking with local businesses and citizens about safety in work zones. They’ll also be handing out Geaux Orange “visor cards” and key chains. Each visor card has information and emergency contact numbers in the event of an accident on the bridge. You can also request a visor card or download and print one out from our Web site, http://www.geauxorange.com/. Or look for them in your favorite local businesses.

This campaign has reminded me of the importance of work zone safety and the responsibility that we as pedestrians and motorists have to act with care.

One of the easiest things we can all do as a commuter is to slow down in a work zone. The conditions in a work zone are constantly changing, so it is important to extra caution, obey the signs, slow down and be courteous when you see orange cones. To cut down on your commute, you can always call the public outreach line at (504) 731-4200 – that way you know what the conditions are before you even leave your house. It’s a 24/7 automated info line with up-to-the-minute lane closure information. You can also check the Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project Web site (http://www.hueypbridge.com/).

This week, while you’re “geauxing” orange, don’t forget to check out our Web site for safety tips, a downloadable visor card, the latest lane closure information and public service announcements featuring Aaron Broussard, Jefferson Parish President, and Rick Jones, head coach of Tulane Baseball.

Remember, Geaux Orange and drive safe on the Huey!

In recent weeks, I’m sure many commuters have noticed the lane closures on the bridge. During non-peak travel times you’re seeing hardhats and orange cones. Even though lane closures run solely from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (not typical rush hour traffic), we realize there are still a number of commuters traveling the bridge. Delays, no matter how slight, are still frustrating. Sometimes it is hard to remember that progress comes with a price – and that price is short-term inconvenience.   

Those of us who work on the bridge project strive to make this transition a smooth one. Through innovative traffic management plans, up-to-date public information via our website, automated telephone info line (504-731-4200), our bimonthly BAT and CAT meetings, HPL Review newsletter and contributing to regular updates on your favorite evening news stations and newspapers – we’re working to help you plan your daily commute and stay informed on project progress.

Personally, I am excited for the day I’ll finally be able to drive over the new and improved Huey P. Once its complete, the three 11 ft. lanes with inside and outside shoulders (shoulders, can you believe it?!) will allow commuters to cross over the bridge quicker and safer than ever before. This long-awaited facelift will spur economic growth on both sides of the Huey P. and will stimulate long-term benefits for those communities.

In the meantime, there will be some headaches. In addition to the bridge itself being widened, the traffic circle on the West Bank, the Jefferson Highway overpass and approaches on either side are all being updated. This is no small task!

We are all working hard to minimize these headaches and to manage the stress and inconvenience while we wait to enjoy the benefits. But until that time, you’ve got a front row seat to history in the making. After all, it is your Huey P.

CTL Group, a Skokie, Ill. based firm, is about 800 digital and static strain gauges to keep a close eye on how the bridge will react to structural changes of the truss widening. The CTL Group specializes in structural monitoring, nondestructive testing and evaluation and repair of bridges worldwide. The gauges will transmit data to engineers until project completion in 2013.

See below for photos and captions of the strain gauge installation.

Unfortunately, lane closures are inevitable. Safety is a priority – for our contractors, the bridge and motorists. All lane closure notices are subject to change.

When planning your commute, keep in mind the most current lane closure information is available by calling our 24/7 public outreach automated phone line at (504) 731-4200. We keep the website, www.hueypbridge.com, updated as well. Also pay attention to the digital roadside lane closure signs.

The Crescent City Connection and the Hale Boggs Bridge are alternate routes.

NOTE: There will be no lane closures on the bridge from March 24 to 29 to accommodate for Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament traffic.

Photos of gauge installation:

Worker prepares the surface of the bridge for the installation of a strain gauge.
Photo taken Feb. 16, 2008.

Worker installs strain gauge. Note lane closure in background.
Photo taken Feb. 16, 2008.

Close view of worker installing strain gauge. Photo taken Feb. 16, 2008.

Installed strain gauge. Photo taken Feb. 9, 2008.

It's your chance to meet project personnel and ask questions in person

Once again this year, the public outreach office will host our business and community advisory  team (BAT and CAT) meetings.

The Huey P. Long Business Advisory Team (HPL BAT) allows business owners to meet with project personnel to communicate any concerns and questions they may have. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie, LA 70001.

They Huey P. Long public outreach office invites community members to come “share their love for the Huey P. Long Bridge” at the Huey P. Long Community Advisory Team (HPL CAT) meeting on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 from 7-8 p.m. The meeting will be held in the main hall of the Bridge City Fire Station, 2220 Bridge City Ave., Bridge City, LA 70094. All CAT members will be treated to Valentine’s Day candy at the event. Previous attendees should note this is a venue change from 2007 CAT meetings.   

“The BAT and CAT meetings are a great way for the public to meet project personnel, view renderings and construction photos as well as ask questions about the bridge widening,” said Project Spokesperson Meghan Legaux. “As lane closures begin to impact the public, many community members may have questions and concerns. The BAT and CAT meetings serve as a forum to address those issues in person.” 

HPL BAT and CAT meetings are scheduled bimonthly and are open to the public. BAT meetings are scheduled on the second Wednesday every other month. All BAT meetings are from 1 to 2 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library meeting room. CAT meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday every other month. All CAT meetings are from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bridge City Fire Station.

How Louisiana's TIMED Program is "Driving Discovery"

Last Thursday the Huey P. Long public outreach office met with 100 third and fourth grade students at Live Oak Manor Elementary School in Waggaman, La. to kick off the TIMED to Learn program. Designed to interest elementary students in the fields of construction, transportation and engineering, TIMED to Learn will teach children across the state about the TIMED projects in their communities – like the Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project.

Thursday’s event kicked off the year-long program. Students dressed in hard hats and special t-shirts played construction-themed games, participated in educational activities and touched materials being used to widen the bridge. From the looks on the students’ faces, they had a great time. It was fun watching their eyes light up when they knew the answer to a question. Even more than that, it was rewarding to see them process the information we were giving to them and turn around and ask intelligent questions of us.

As they were leaving, we gave each student a goodie bag filled with educational activities, fun games and little prizes. They were thrilled. In fact, some of them couldn’t stop thanking us.

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Students at Live Oak Manor Elementary School received goodie bags and hard hats after participating in the TIMED to Learn program.

Senior inspector Mike Neyman explained how various construction materials are used to widen the 72-year old Huey P. Long Bridge. 

Students participated in several hands-on activities and games, including a word search using construction vocabulary terms.

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I truly enjoyed the visit and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the program come to life. This spring, we’ll continue going to elementary schools in the New Orleans area to educate students about the Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project. And during the fall, the program will launch statewide with the information presented customized to each school is near and nearby TIMED routes.

Participating teachers will be provided with an information packet prior to each visit with lesson plan ideas and information to supplement their social studies, science and language arts classes. The activities and information help prepare students for the visit and reinforce TIMED to Learn topics.

For more information, or to request a TIMED to Learn classroom visit, email me at Meghan.Legaux@latimedmgrs.com or call our public outreach line at 504-731-4200.

Less than seven miles from the Huey P. Long Bridge and with a backdrop of fantastic weather all weekend long, A.J. Catfish Bourgeois Park in Westwego hosted the 11th Annual Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest on Nov. 9-11. The local festival featured entertainment from bands and dance troupes, crafts and carnival rides.

The Huey P. Long Public Outreach Office manned a booth at the festival. There we met with local residents of all ages and talked with them about the bridge widening project and how it will affect them. We handed out free postcards, cups, pens and kick balls for the kids.

One of the things that stood out most to me this weekend was an elementary-aged girl we met. She walked right up to our display, and without hesitation pointed at a picture of the bridge and said, “That’s my bridge. I live right by it and see it everyday.” She’s right. It is her bridge. That’s one of the things we find when we go out into the community and talk about the project – we all think it’s our bridge.

So we want to hear your stories. What makes the Huey P. your bridge? Send us an email (to info@hueypbridge.com) with your contact information, age and your personal bridge story. Make the subject line "My Huey P." Of course, all submissions received will not be returned and become property of Louisiana's TIMED Program and may be used in future promotional campaigns. 

The Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest was the first of what we hope to be many upcoming public appearances. We had a great time sharing stories – from hearing residents recall the first time they crossed the bridge, to accounts of uncles, fathers and grandfathers who helped on the original construction – its clear the bridge is part of our local history. With the widening project in full swing, it’s also a part of the future.

What the bridge – and this project – means to me

I can vividly remember the first time I drove across the Huey P. Long Bridge. With a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel, shallow breaths and a nervous laugh, I carefully made my way across the Mississippi River from the West Bank. As a large truck passed me to the left, my grip tightened. When I finally made it to Clearview Parkway, I let out a sigh of relief. The ordeal was over. Though that was years ago, the memory has stayed with me.

As the new spokesperson for the bridge project, I am excited about the progress of construction. To the more than 50,000 cars that cross the 71-year-old bridge daily, it may not look like much has happened in the last year, but construction is ongoing. The piers are being widened to accommodate the expansion and railroad modifications are well underway.

I grew up on the West Bank and used the Huey P. rather than paying a toll. When the bridge widening is complete, an extra 20,000 cars will be able to cross the Huey, still toll free. I feel close to this project because it’s in my backyard. It’s in the place where I grew up. I’m excited to be a part of something this big, this historic.

Once complete, the bridge will stimulate economic development, improve emergency and hurricane evacuation and enhance connectivity between the East and West Banks – all of which are needed as the Greater New Orleans area continues to rebuild.

I am looking forward to meeting with business and community members in the months to come. I am eager to share with you information about the bridge project and how it will facilitate the growth of Jefferson Parish.

In the meantime, you can visit our new public outreach office in the Joseph S. Yenni Building in Elmwood at 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 311. Come in, have a cup of coffee and address your concerns – I’m here to help.