DOTD announces extended closure of Judge Seeber Claiborne Avenue Bridge

Due to inclement weather, the Louisiana Department Of Transportation and Development (DOTD) says the Judge Seeber Claiborne Avenue Bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic through at least Labor Day weekend to continue cleaning and painting the west tower.

Since the closure began, rain has hampered the production of the project. Sandblasting has to be redone each time it rains as moisture gets into the containment area, causing the contractor to shut down operations and restart on the next clear day.

Because of the weather delays, the contractor has completed only 25 percent of the work on the west power. The contractor has already started preparations for east tower work.

DOTD will continue to evaluate the contractor’s progress during the closure to determine if additional time is needed or if limited access can be accommodated in the immediate future, officials said.

The project is expected to be completed in fall 2013.

The contractor will continue to have the bridge in the “up” position to accommodate the required containment enclosures and construction equipment to perform this work.

Motorists should use St. Claude and Florida Avenues as alternate routes. In St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff James Pohlmann has been sending Traffic Division deputies to the Claude Bridge at morning and afternoon rush hour periods to help New Orleans Police and State Police to direct traffic.