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The LA 23 Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement Project in Belle Chasse, Louisiana is LADOTD’s DBFOM P3 to modernize the critical LA 23 crossing of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and improve reliability between Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. It replaces the legacy tunnel and movable bridge crossing with a four-lane fixed-span bridge designed to keep regional traffic moving while continuing to support GIWW navigation and the maritime-dependent businesses that rely on the waterway.
Construction work centered on building the new fixed-span bridge and its approaches and tying into the existing LA 23 corridor with new roadway connections and supporting infrastructure. The bridge design provides approximately 73 feet of vertical clearance to accommodate most marine traffic without the operational disruptions associated with lift openings. The overall scope also includes completing ancillary connector roadways and integrating the project’s long-term operational elements under the P3 delivery approach.
Delivery was staged to maintain mobility during construction, with major traffic shifts as new elements came online. A key milestone occurred when the Belle Chasse Tunnel was permanently closed on December 20, 2023, and traffic was redirected onto the newly constructed bridge alignment.
As the project transitioned into operations, the facility implemented all-electronic tolling on May 14, 2025. Remaining work includes wrap-up construction activities and transition to long-term operations and maintenance, as well as decommissioning/removal of legacy assets associated with the former tunnel/bridge crossing.