My Huey P.

It was built during the year of the Dust Bowl and New Deal. The year when Babe Ruth hit his 714^th home run and the Parker Brothers first released the Monopoly board game. That narrow, white-knuckle drive we call the Huey P. Long Bridge was completed in December 1935 -- more than 73 years ago.

Rich with historical significance, the Huey P. Long Bridge is undergoing a momentous change. And with change comes the opportunity to preserve the past.

The bridge widening project will widen the existing bridge from two 9-foot lanes to three 11-foot lanes with a 2-foot inside and 8-foot outside shoulder – a widening of about 25 feet in both the eastbound and westbound directions. The project will also improve the roadways leading up to the bridge – eliminating the West Bank traffic circle and traffic shift at Jefferson Highway and replacing both with signalized intersections. The Jefferson Highway overpass will also be eliminated and traffic will be diverted to ground level roadway. The exits and approaches of the bridge are also changing to allow traffic to move more smoothly.

The approaches have recently affected another piece of history – the New Orleans Public Belt Administration Building at the East Bank approach of the bridge. This structure served at various times as an office for elements of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, Mississippi River Bridge Authority Police (now called the Crescent City Connection Police), Causeway Police Huey P. Long Unit, Louisiana Department of Highways Project Engineer's office and State Police Troop B.

The Art Deco-style building dripping with local history was recently demolished to make way for the new bridge approaches. But before it was torn down, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad removed all of the historical elements of the interior of the building. The cornerstone and unique façade of the building have been preserved with the help of a historian. These elements will be incorporated into the architecture of the new railroad building being constructed a few miles from the original.

While some things may change to make way for the innovations of the future, it’s nice to know the past isn’t always lost.

Work platform minimizes lane closures, makes contractor access easier

It’s big. It’s yellow. And they call it “the dance floor.” It’s a massive platform hung beneath the floor beam of the bridge to give construction workers access to tight areas below the bridge deck and to store large pieces of equipment.

To minimize roadway and river closures, Phase III contractors, MTI, (http://www.timedla.com/upload/files/news/HPL%20Phase%20III%20Awarded_081707.pdf) have been installing the platform since late April. The platform allows MTI access to perform some work below the bridge rather than on the roadway. This will help minimize the need to close bridge lanes to work in certain areas. Certain activities will still require intermittent lane closures, but the work platform helps to decrease the quantity and duration of the lane closures.

The dance floor is being assembled on the ground and on barges. Once complete, they are lifted by cranes onto hanger brackets secured to the underside of the roadway. Once installation is complete, the platform will extend from the land pier on the West Bank to Pier 4, the river pier closest to the East Bank.

Workers and inspectors access the platform by climbing a tall stair tower. Heavy, large construction items are lifted onto the platform by cranes situated on barges in the river. Once on the platform, workers have safe access to the floor beam and tight areas. 

Take a look around the bridge widening project’s Web site (www.hueypbridge.com) and you’ll notice something… the enormous size and scope of this project. It is no small undertaking. And one of the most complex elements of the bridge project is scheduling. The bridge is the longest railroad bridge in the United States, and is one of the three primary Mississippi River crossings in the Greater New Orleans area.

Throughout the length of the project, contractors are challenged with the task of maintaining river, rail and vehicular traffic with little to no interruption. Each type of traffic requires the contractors to comply with different restrictions and governing bodies, such as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (http://www.dotd.state.la.us/), the U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/d8/sectLMR/) and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (http://www.nopb.com/nopb/). 

To view more photos of the dance floor and other phases of construction, visit our Photo Gallery (http://timedla.com/gallery/album.asp?album_id=68). 

The Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project Hosts "TIMED 2 Explore Engineering" event for local Girl Scouts 

On the levee just underneath the approaches of the Huey P. Long Bridge, 35 Southeast Louisiana Council Girl Scouts made a “human bridge” and felt the forces of tension and compression in action. They tried on safety gear and interacted with two female engineers – one of which who works on the Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project.

The Saturday afternoon event was part of a larger effort, the Louisiana TIMED Program’s TIMED 2 Explore Engineering, encouraging Louisiana youth to pursue engineering careers and discover the engineering and construction projects in their communities.

A 2005 study by the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and WGBH Educational Foundation found that most teens and pre-teens perceived engineering as man’s profession and there is little to no encouragement for girls to consider engineering. The same study found that, “Career influencers, including educators, are not familiar with how to guide students toward engineering. The positive stories about engineering are not being told to this audience.”

When young girls discover the fun side of science and engineering, they’re more likely to consider it as a career choice. Despite the strides female engineers have made in the past few decades, women are still underrepresented in science, math and engineering careers.

It is with those findings in mind that the Huey P. Long public outreach office hosted the hands-on event. As the girls stood underneath the shadow of the bridge, they were overwhelmed by the enormous size and scope of the bridge. They learned how the widening project would affect the bridge and they used critical thinking skills to put themselves in the shoes of engineers. The girls learned that engineers do more than just math problems or sit in a lab – many often work in the field on the projects they support. The girls were able to see, touch and try on safety equipment that engineers use when climbing on the Huey P. Long Bridge.

Although it wasn’t your typical Memorial Weekend activity, the girls didn’t seem to mind learning a bit of science, engineering and career skills during their holiday weekend. 

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.