The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that US 190 near Mile Post 69 (0.7 miles east of the Calcasieu River Bridge) will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, for emergency bridge repairs.
The bridge closure is necessary following a recent load rating analysis, which indicated structurally deficient piles. This forced the capacity of the bridge to be reduced to 10-15 tons.
Crews will work daily until the repairs are completed, weather permitting.
Detour:
Vehicle traffic is advised to detour using US 165, Interstate 10, and US 171.
Safety reminder:
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
Additional information:
Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.
Preparing for the closure of U.S. 190
DOTD did not know how long repairs to the bridge on U.S. 190 would take, but officials were notified locally of the project to make repairs to the bridge.
Sheriff Doug Hebert III said he will have to consider the placement of his staff. He wants to make sure deputies can respond to calls in a timely manner.
The sheriff said there are a few ways around the area that locals might use but they will take time to navigate.
Reeves
Reeves Mayor Chris Guillory said those routes take about 40 to 50 minutes longer to travel. He said residents from Reeves will have to find alternate routes while this project is completed.
“It will be an inconvenience, but we will work with it.” Hopefully it doesn’t take too long; and hopefully its done before school starts.”
Many residents from Reeves work in Kinder and utilize banking and post office services. These residents will have to travel those longer distances to reach their destination.
School routes
The Allen Parish School Board’s staff is aware of the situation. “We are hoping all construction is done before the start of school,” said Kenney Courville, transportation and special services supervisor.
If construction is not completed, then the school district will let everyone know what alternative plans they will utilize to get students to school.
DOTD
DOTD will keep residents updated on the project and how long it will take to complete in the near future.