The Centurion Place Subdivision entrance at Coliseum Ave. from O’Neal Lane (LA 3245) was closed on Monday January 18 and it will remain closed today, Tuesday January 19. The entrance will not be accessible during this time while crews install cross drain pipes under Coliseum Ave. These cross drains are part of the new subsurface drainage system that is replacing the open ditches. These drains will improve the drainage in this area.

Motorists are to use Centurion Ave. for access to the subdivision.

This lane closure is subject to change pending adverse weather conditions.  Additional notices will be provided as necessary.

This construction is due in part to the widening project currently taking place on O’Neal lane between Florida Blvd and I-12. The current 2 lane roadway there is being upgraded to 4 lanes with a center turn lane, sidewalks and gutters. According to the State Department of Transportation’s website, the estimated time of completion for this leg of the O’Neal widening project is 12-31-10.

Current work:

The contractor has resumed driving piles for the new eastbound span. Thus far, 185 of the 270 production piles have been driven. A pile is a concrete post that is driven into the ground to act as a leg or support for the new bridge. They are driven into the ground using a pile-driver. The pile-driver is a machine that acts similar to a hammer hitting a nail, driving the pile into the ground.

The contractor continues building the haul road on the west side of the river. This road will be used by the contractor to bring materials to and from the job site.

Brief description of completed work:

The contractor has completed building the haul road on the east side of the river. The haul road was used by the contractor to bring equipment and building material to and from the job site while working on the new westbound span.

All four of the test piles have been driven. Test piles help to gather information on the conditions at the job site such as installation methods for future piles and soil type. The information determines proper pile lengths and driving criteria for the production piles for the new bridge.

The contractor completed the westbound roadway and bridge. Traffic was moved to the new bridge on Sept. 11, 2009.

The old westbound bridge was demolished on Oct. 21, 2009.

State Project No. 013-05-0044
Project Description: Amite River Bridge and Approaches
Parish: Livingston
Contract Amount: $29.5 million
Project Engineer: Kris Wascom
Project Start Date: Dec. 2007
Project End Date: Dec. 2010