Louisiana motorists traveling east on Interstate 10 at Lafayette have been given instructions by the state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) on how to make it through that area because of a damaged overpass.

An 18-wheeler hauling an excavator on a three-axle trailer struck the I-10 eastbound bridge and scraped the westbound bridge while driving on Interstate 49. The driver received a citation because the excavator was too high on the trailer.

DOTD officials said the impact to the overpass resulted in catastrophic damage to three out of eight girders on the eastbound bridge deck. Repairs will take place in two phases.

The single I-10 eastbound lane that has been open is expected to remain open for the majority of the weekend, but intermittent closures may be necessary.

DOTD has the following resources in place to assist motorists with information on local projects, lane, and road closures, and other DOTD activity.

• They can sign up for MyDOTD at www.dotd.la.gov.
• Travelers can also find information regarding road closures and traffic by visiting www.511la.org or by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information.
• Out-of-state travelers can access the system by calling 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

The two repair phases are extraction and replacement. The initial phase includes removing the damaged section of the I-10 overpass structure. The new girders and bridge deck will be fabricated at an off-site location. The process is estimated to be completed in a few months.

While the new bridge components are being prepared, existing concrete barriers will be shifted to allow two lanes of traffic on I-10 eastbound. Under this temporary configuration, eastbound traffic will travel on two 11-foot lanes with a one foot shoulder.

During that time, closures will remain in place on the I-10 eastbound overpass auxiliary lane (deceleration/acceleration lane), the inside lane of I-49 northbound, I-49 northbound exit ramp from I-10 (Exit 103B) and the I-10 eastbound on-ramp from I-49 (Exit 1A).

The extraction phase of work is estimated to take place Jan. 20-22. At times, both phases will require a full closure of I-10 eastbound and I-49 northbound at the overpass to complete the necessary work.

Details regarding traffic detours will be sent prior to the closure.

Information about the project comes from Deidra Druilhet, DOTD public information officer at deidra.druilhet@la.gov.