[StBernard] Big Change This Week For Slidell Commuters

[Westley Annis]

Big Change This Week For Slidell Commuters
First Phase Of New 'Twin Span' Readies For Traffic
WDSU.com
updated 12:47 a.m. CT, Mon., July 6, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - WDSU .com

Taller. Stronger. Faster. It may not be bionic, but phase one the new Twin
Span bridge will be all that and more when it opens to traffic later this
week.


DOTD officials said they intend to shift eastbound traffic onto the first of
the new structures on Wednesday.

The new bridge will handle traffic headed from New Orleans to Slidell.
Construction crews will continue work on the second new span, which is set
to open by mid-to-late 2011.

It's a big step forward for those who drive across the lake. Hurricane
Katrina caused major damage to the old Twin Span -- especially the westbound
bridge. Temporary repairs allowed traffic to resume, but constant
inspections have meant periodic closures.


That part of the old Twin Span will now close permanently. Vehicles headed
into New Orleans will be routed onto the span that sustained less extensive
damage from Katrina.


The new bridge is ahead of schedule and features the added benefit of a
third lane. Speed limits will be higher and additional truck loads will be
permitted.

The new Twin Spans rise about 30 feet above the water, so experts don't ever
expect another Katrina-like scenario in which the bridge is topped by storm
surge.

The entire project is budgeted at about $800 million.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31754302/ns/local_news-new_orleans_la/