UPDATE: Bridge Closing for Emergency Repairs in Iberia Parish

UPDATE (5/9): The Morbihan Bridge is now open.

New Iberia, LA (KPEL News) - More than 12,700 bridges traverse waterways, railroad tracks, or other structures across the state of Louisiana. Over 3,000 are in need of repairs, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. An even scarier statistic related to Louisiana bridges is that 12%, more than 1500, of those are structurally deficient and at least one element is in deplorable condition.

Every corner of the state and commercial truckers nationwide have been watching and waiting for the final plan to replace the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. The structure that crosses the Calcasieu River causes anxiety for every driver that uses it. But the numbers show that it is not nearly the only one in need of attention.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) issues travel advisories daily. Many of those are released well in advance of a bridge closure for repair or replacement. Currently, in Lafayette Parish, the bridge on St. Bernard in Broussard is being replaced.

READ MORE: Bridge Between US 90 and Main Street in Broussard Closes

More often that we would like, we receive notices about emergency bridge closures. On May 8, DOTD alerted the public that the Morbihan Bridge on LA 344 that crosses the Bayou Teche in Iberia Parish is closing to vehicular traffic immediately for emergency repairs.

The picture shows what is clearly an aging bridge that has likely been in need of repairs for a while. DOTD did not release any information about what needs to be fixed nor how long they expect it to be closed.

No detour route is provided in the DOTD notice, either. Emergency vehicle will not have access directly to the area, so they will need to find an alternate route around the bridge.