Carpenter’s Bridge over the Ouiska Chitto Creek (also known as Whiskey Chitto) is now closed until further notice. The announcement was made by the Allen Parish Police Jury on its Facebook™ page on October 3.
Jacob Dillehay, parish engineer for the jury, said the bridge has been added to the state’s replacement list for bridges.
“As you are aware, Carpenters Bridge has been recently closed by LADOTD (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development) for several structural deficiencies. You may also be aware the bridge is on the state replacement list. The funds have been allocated and it is anticipated the project will be open for bidding on December 14, 2022.
“After careful review of the LADOTD Inspection report following the recent closure, it has been determined the material cost alone for repairs will be in excess of $165,000. This does not include labor costs or the costs of having new piles driven.”
Dillehay said it is anticipated materials may take one year to receive. “Given the material cost to repair, material lead time and pending LADOTD replacement project, the jury has decided not to attempt to repair and reopen Carpenter’s Bridge. Further, if repairs would be made, they would simply be removed when the bridge was removed for the replacement project.”
He said the parish will preserve its limited resources and wait for the state to bid and award the project for bridge replacement.
“We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve parish infrastructure,” Dillehay said.
The Carpenter’s Bridge is a timber stringer bridge over the creek It was built in 1965. It’s 18.7 feet wide.
According to BridgeReports.com, the bridge has a daily traffic count of 80, which was taken in 1977. In its inspection on September 2017, it was labeled in poor condition overall until it was closed earlier this month.
