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As part of the Construction Joint Venture within Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse (PIBC), Traylor/Massman JV is the design-build joint venture for the Belle Chasse Bridge & Tunnel Replacement Public-Private Partnership Project with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Traylor is in the lead at the DBJV level. This project replaces the existing Belle Chasse Tunnel and the vertical-lift Judge Perez Bridge crossing the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) with a new mid-rise, fixed-span, 1.4-mile-long four-lane bridge, and ancillary connector roadways. The improvements aim to address growing transportation demands, maintain marine and vehicular traffic flow across the GIWW, and support economic activity in the region. The project also includes developing and operating a new toll revenue collection system.
This critical infrastructure project will bring numerous benefits to Belle Chasse and surrounding communities. By replacing aging infrastructure, the new bridge will enhance transportation efficiency and safety for residents and commuters, reducing congestion and travel times. Additionally, the project supports local commerce by ensuring uninterrupted access for maritime and vehicular traffic across the GIWW, a vital artery for regional and national trade. The modern design will also improve resilience against environmental challenges, providing long-term reliability for future generations. These improvements address existing challenges, including maintenance issues, traffic bottlenecks, and outdated systems, while positioning Belle Chasse as a hub for economic growth.
In mid-2022, the final main pier cofferdam seal pour was completed. By August 2023, two lanes of traffic were shifted onto the new bridge, allowing for the decommissioning of the Belle Chasse Tunnel, which was closed at the end of 2023 after nearly 70 years in operation. In April 2024, all four lanes of traffic were relocated to the new structure, followed by the demolition of the existing bridge. The final pile—a total of 316 piles amounting to 37,336 linear feet of concrete—was driven at Bent 1 in May 2024. Final project completion is anticipated in spring 2025.