The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) provided an update on the repair progress for the bridge located at LA 531 south of LA 532 in Webster Parish. The repairs are expected to commence as soon as the necessary materials are received, which is anticipated to be within the next week. Addressing rumors about funding delays, the DOTD clarified that this is not a construction project dependent on funding, as the work will be carried out by their in-house bridge maintenance staff.
The DOTD emphasized that closing a bridge is done for public safety. They expressed concern over motorists, including large vehicles like 18-wheelers, ignoring barricades and continuing to use the bridge, which is both illegal and unsafe.
The repair work is estimated to take about a week, depending on weather conditions. Therefore, the DOTD aims to have the bridge reopened by the end of the month. They acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the closure but stressed the importance of ensuring motorists’ safety. The DOTD requested the community’s patience during this temporary closure, assuring that the situation will return to normal in a few weeks.