The Green Bridge - Paris Rd.

12/13/2024

*** St. Claude Bridge Closure Schedule Dec. 14-20 ***

From Port of NO:
The Port’s maintenance personnel and electrical contractor will be working to restore normal operations at the St. Claude Avenue Bridge on Saturday, December 14th, but due to scheduled emergency repairs at the Judge Seeber (Claiborne Avenue) Bridge and a Second Line Parade scheduled for Sunday, the St. Claude Bridge will operate as follows this weekend and next week until normal operations are restored.

Temporary Operating Procedure and Closure Schedule for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge (Dec. 14-20, 2024)

Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM Open to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (closed to Marine Traffic)
7:00 PM – 6:00 AM (12/15) Closed to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (raised/open to Marine Traffic)

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Open to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (closed to Marine Traffic)
6:00 PM – 6:30 AM (12/16) Closed to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (raised/open to Marine Traffic)

Monday – Friday (Dec. 16-20, 2024):
6:30 AM – 8:30 AM Open to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (closed to Marine Traffic)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Closed to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (raised/open to Marine Traffic)
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM Open to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (closed to Marine Traffic)
6:00 PM – 6:30 AM Closed to Vehicular Traffic, Bicycles & Pedestrians (raised/open to Marine Traffic)

Alternate Routes: Judge Seeber (Claiborne Avenue) Bridge - LA 39 and Florida Avenue Bridge.

Please stay safe and have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!

04/30/2024

**** Another FULL Closure This Weekend 5/3-6 ****

From DOTD: Upcoming Full Bridge Closure: LA 47/ IWGO Green Bridge Weekend Closure 5/3-5/6

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 11:39 AM
New Orleans—The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that weather permitting, the LA 47 (Paris Road) IWGO “Green Bridge” will be closed starting at 8:00 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024, and reopening at 5:00 AM on Monday, May 6, 2024.

This closure is necessary for crews to perform structural rehabilitation work associated with the ongoing construction project. This is the second of six full-weekend closures planned over the next several months.

No traffic will be allowed to pass over the bridge during the closure.
• Motorists wanting to travel northbound on LA 47 to I-510 will be detoured to LA 39, Elysian Fields, I-10, and back to I-510.
• Motorists wanting to travel southbound on I-510 to LA 47 will be detoured to I-10, Elysian Fields, LA 39, and back to LA 47.

The closure is due to work on a rehabilitation project to restore the bridge's concrete and structural steel components, sandblast it, and paint it. As a tribute to the bridge's rich history, the iconic green paint will again adorn the structure, just as it did on its grand opening in 1967, inviting motorists to be a part of its legacy.

Weather permitting, the project is estimated to be completed in spring 2025.

04/11/2024

***** Green Bridge FULL Weekend CLOSURE 4/19-4/22 *****

From DOTD:
New Orleans—The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that weather permitting, the LA 47 (Paris Road) IWGO “Green Bridge” will be closed starting at 8:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024, and reopening at 5:00 AM on Monday, April 22, 2024.

This closure is necessary for crews to perform structural rehabilitation work associated with the ongoing construction project. This is the first of six full-weekend closures planned over the next several months. The subsequent planned closure is scheduled for May 3-6, 2024.

No traffic will be allowed to pass over the bridge during the closure.
• Motorists wanting to travel northbound on LA 47 to I-510 will be detoured to LA 39, Elysian Fields, I-10, and back to I-510.
• Motorists wanting to travel southbound on I-510 to LA 47 will be detoured to I-10, Elysian Fields, LA 39, and back to LA 47.

The closure is due to work on a rehabilitation project to restore the bridge's concrete and structural steel components, sandblast it, and paint it. As a tribute to the bridge's rich history, the iconic green paint will again adorn the structure, just as it did on its grand opening in 1967, inviting motorists to be a part of its legacy.

DOTD secured funding for the project as part of President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan.

The project is estimated to be completed in spring 2025.

DOTD appreciates your patience and understanding during this necessary closure. We kindly remind motorists to drive cautiously through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment; ensuring everyone's safety is our top priority.

04/04/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=620197053262188&id=100058156955537&mibextid=Nif5oz

*** Green Bridge Rehab & Painting to Finally Begin Next Week ***

DOTD announces the start of a $44.8 million bridge rehabilitation project on the LA 47 Intracoastal Gulf Outlet Bridge in New Orleans

New Orleans - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that beginning Monday, April 10, 2023, construction will start on the $44.8 million bridge rehabilitation project of the Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet Bridge, also known as the Green Bridge.

The project includes restoring the bridge's concrete and structural steel components, sandblasting, and painting the structural steel columns. As a tribute to the bridge's storied history, green paint will again adorn the structure as it did on its opening in 1967.

DOTD secured funding for the project as part of President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan.

The project will have various lane closures throughout, so the public should be prepared for delays.

· Throughout the project, at least one lane will remain open in each direction, except for an anticipated six full weekend closures.

· The first full weekend closure will take place in the fall of 2023.

· Single-lane closures will be utilized for much of the project, varying between northbound and southbound directions.

· Permanent lane closures will begin on Monday, April 10, 2023, and remain in place through the spring.

· Residents can stay aware of all lane closures by visiting www.511la.org or signing up for alerts from the MyDOTD service at http://www.dotd.la.gov.

Emergency vehicles will have access to this area.

The project's estimated completion date is Spring 2025.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds motorists to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

I will continue to post updates as I receive them. God Bless.

08/13/2022

**** Green Bridge Rehab Moves Forward ****

Per my request, the DOTD just sent me an update on the Green Bridge (Paris Rd. Bridge) rehabilitation project. While they are still working with the contractor on a start date and timeline, they have signed a construction contract. Here’s their latest response:

This week, DOTD began routine inspections of the Gulf Outlet Bridge (Green Bridge) in accordance with Federal guidelines. This inspection is not part of the Green Bridge rehabilitation project.

DOTD has secured a construction contract and funding is approved for the rehabilitation and painting of the bridge. The Department is in the process of executing the consultant engineering and inspection contract. Once complete, DOTD will move into the assembly period of the project. During this period, shop drawings will be created, reviewed and approved. Next, parts are fabricated. While completing shop drawings and fabrication, the contractor will also begin designing containment drawings (plans for the tarps across the bridge) and will need approval before moving forward.

DOTD will coordinate with the contractor and consultant to establish the project timeline. Public notice will be given before work begins on-site.

The scope of work includes cleaning the bridge, making concrete and structural repairs, painting the concrete, and painting the steel components of the bridge green again.

I will continue to post updated as they become available. Thanks for your patience with this project – the outcome should be worth the inconvenience. Thanks – and God Bless!

02/12/2022

01/31/2022

******* UPDATE: Our friend the Green Bridge will reopen at 6 PM Saturday 2/12 and remain open through Sunday *******

*** Green Bridge (Paris Rd.) Closed This & Next Weekend ***

From DOTD:
NEW ORLEANS — The Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet (IWGO) Bridge, also known as the Green Bridge, on LA 47 in Orleans Parish will close Friday, February 4 beginning at 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022. The bridge will also close Friday, February 11 at 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

The closure will allow crews to perform a topographic 3D scan and survey of the bridge in preparation for a future rehabilitation project.

The detour routes are as follows:

• LA 39 to I-10
• U.S. 90 to I-10
• I-10 EB to LA 39 (North Claiborne Avenue)
• I-10 WB to LA 3021 (Elysian Fields Avenue) to LA 39
• I-610 EB to LA 3021 (Elysian Fields Avenue) to LA 39

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

09/30/2021

**** Additional Green Bridge Lane Closures *****
From DOTD:
Alternating directions Northbound and Southbound LA 47 (Paris Road), Bridge Over ICWW (Green Bridge) – right lane will be closed from Monday, November 8, 2021 until Tuesday, November 23, 2021, from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM daily (including weekends); for bridge inspection work.

**** Green Bridge Update *****

I'm very happy to report that after years of pushing the DOTD, they are finally beginning the rehabilitation and painting of the Green Bridge (Paris Rd. Bridge). Unfortunately, this will require a full closure this and next weekend. Please be patient and plan accordingly, the results will be worth the inconvenience.

Here's the press release:

Orleans Parish- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces an upcoming bridge closure on the Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet (IWGO) Bridge, also known as the Green Bridge, on LA 47 in Orleans Parish beginning 9 p.m. on Friday, October 1 until 5 a.m. on Monday, October 4 and 9 p.m. on Friday, October 8 until 5 a.m. on Monday, October 11.

This closure is necessary to allow crews to perform a topographic 3D scan and survey of the IWGO Bridge in preparation for a future project to rehabilitate this historical bridge. Motorists are advised to use the alternate detour on LA 39 to I-10 or U.S. 90 to I-10. From the Interstate the detour routes are as follows:

· I-10 EB to LA 39 (North Claiborne) Avenue
· I-10 WB to LA 3021 (Elysian Fields Avenue) to LA 39
· I-610 EB to LA 3021 (Elysian Fields Avenue) to LA 39

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

02/10/2020

Update

*** Green Bridge Update ***

OK Green Bridge fans, it’s been a while since I received an update on the scheduled painting of the Paris Road (Green) Bridge. Thus, I sent a request for an update to DOTD. Here is their reply:

Green Bridge Rehabilitation and Painting
The project is currently scheduled for a Dec. 2021 contract letting. The Bridge Design Department is currently doing bridge ratings to determine the members on the structure which need to be strengthened to prevent future postings of the bridge. DOTD HQ is working on an advertisement to assign a firm for the final rehabilitation design.

In regards to your request regarding the paint color, DOTD is studying whether the darker paint color will jeopardize the service life of the paint system, with the goal to be the longest paint life possible. If the study shows the green color does not jeopardize the paint system, the intent is proceeding with painting the structure green.

01/04/2020

Another vintage photo of our green friend circa January 1984. The photo ran in the Times-Picayune/States-Item on January 17, 1884 with the caption:

"A ceiling of Clouds began to descend on the Green Bridge that takes thousands of motorists monthly to work and shopping from St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes.

People that travel Paris Road going to the towns in St. Bernard Parish cross the bridge that spans the Intracoastal Waterway. The bridge is referred to as the Green Bridge because once the bridge was completed, it was painted a swamp green. This bridge is traveled very heavily in the morning and in the late evening."

Thanks to Cliff Melerine for finding and posting.

(I wish I could find a color photo of it when it was still green :).)

06/29/2019

I found this gem on FB. Shows our Green Bridge during construction prior to opening. Thanks Clifton Melerine for posting!