A barge hit this bridge and closed it. http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2011/05/barge_accident_close...
Well, we're all just volunteers here, and the 2007 data came from the 2008 National Bridge Inventory, or NBI, which isn't always complete.
All we know is what we read in the media. A google news search reveals that repairs on the bridge were supposed to begin last Summer, with the work being done overnight from 8 PM Saturday to 5 AM Sunday and was expected to last about four weeks. You could confirm for us that bridge is the only passage to Bayou Barataria, except for passenger ferry service which was supposed to run overnight.
According to some of the news reports out there, the work was performed on the gearing that opperates the bridge; because the bridge opens up to 30 times a day and it takes 15 minutes to open. [Author's note: Open? Or cycle open and closed? If it takes 15 minutes to open, one could assume it takes 15 minutes to close. If we count the time to allow boat traffic to pass, one could believe it takes the better part of an hour to perform a cycle. If there are 30 openings in a 24 hour day, it seems like the bridge closes to allow vehicular traffic more than it opens to allow boat traffic. I would hope the reporter meant it takes 15 minutes to cycle open and closed.]
Back in 2005, federal funds were earmarked to design a new bridge, one that would offer 40-45 feet of river clearance, far more clearance than the 7 feet of the current structure. A movable span on the new stucture would still be required to open at least twice a day. I have been unable to locate any newer information than that.
Since you use the bridge, perhaps you could take some digital photos of the Kerner Bridge so they can be posted here?
1/18/09
Your last update on this bridge is 2007. We cross this bridge daily and we're seeing work being done. Can you give us an update on the work in progress?
Any information is appreciated.
Thank you.
It got hit by a barge again!
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/damage-is-significa...