Perry Bridge repair on schedule

PERRY — Work on the Perry Bridge is nearly right on schedule.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) closed the bridge on Dec. 1 to make repairs and to replace gears and electrical equipment on the bridge. The department gave a six-month estimate for the project to be completed.
DOTD Public Information Officer Deidra Druilhet said Monday morning that work is going as expected, a little more than three months after the bridge closed.
“According to our latest status from our project engineer,” Druilhet said, “the estimated completion date is late May.”
The replacement of the mechanical equipment has been completed on the superstructure portion of the bridge.
“What they are doing now is some of the more intricate details,” Druilhet said. “The Perry Bridge is a moveable bridge, so some of your more intricate details are the electrical. They are doing some electrical work and wiring on some of the mechanical equipment as well as in the bridge house.”
Druilhet stressed that late May is only an estimated date for completion.
“This is all weather permitting,” she said. “People should keep that in mind. We have had a lot of wet weather here lately.
“Our guys can only work in certain conditions.”
During the remainder of the closure the following detours will be in place.
Vehicular traffic approaching from the west on LA 14: Continue on the LA 14 Bypass to the signal at the intersection of LA 14 Bypass/US 167. Next, travel south (right) on US 167 and turn left at the traffic signal at the intersection of US 167/LA 14 Business. Take a right on LA 335. Traffic should continue south on LA 335 until reaching LA 694, then traffic should turn left on LA 694 to LA 82.
Vehicular traffic approaching from the north on US 167: Continue south on US 167 and turn left at the traffic signal at the intersection of US 167/LA 14 Business. Next, turn right on LA 335. Traffic should continue south on LA 335 until reaching LA 694, then traffic should turn left on LA 694 to LA 82.
Vehicular traffic approaching from the east on LA 14: Continue on the LA 14 Bypass to US 167, traffic should turn left on the at the intersection of LA 14 Bypass/US 167 and then turn left at the traffic signal at the intersection of US 167/LA 14 Business. Next turn right on LA 335 and continue until reaching LA 694. At LA 694 traffic should turn right to LA 82.
Vehicular traffic approaching from the south on LA 82: Turn left on LA 694, then traffic should turn right on LA 335. Continue on LA 335 until reaching LA 14 Business. At intersection of LA 335/LA 14 Business, traffic needs to turn left to the signal at the intersection of LA 14 Business/US 167 and then turn right on US 167 to LA 14 Bypass.