NEW ORLEANS — Posts circulating on social media called for maintenance on the Elysian Fields Bridge near Florida Avenue.
If you were standing below the Elysian Fields overpass at the corner of Florida Avenue by Lowes and you happened to look up, you may see cracks.
Scott Boyle with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said, "The bridge is in structural, safe condition, it's in serviceable condition."
The overpass was built in 1961, Boyle says state bridges are inspected once every two years. He says this one was inspected back in January and it passed. "The inspection found cracks on some of the peers and girders."
He says the inspection did find cracks, but says if it wasn't safe, the bridge would've closed immediately. Louisiana DOTD says cracks like these are cosmetic, but the department says the steel beams inside the pillars are structurally sound.
Boyle said, "In light of the recent concerns... We sent an inspection crew out there again this past Saturday to look at those cracks and they haven't changed since January but we are monitoring them and are prepared to make appropriate action if necessary."
City Council President Helena Moreno is calling on state and city collaboration to prevent our bridges from decaying, she said, "Louisiana actually ranks top 10 for having some of the worst bridges in the country."
She went on to say, "The last bridge in our area that had serious structural defects that had to be corrected shutdown was the Seabrook bridge." She says in a region where motorists are constantly driving across a bridge, she wants to see a plan in place that will keep people safe.
LADOTD is planning to meet this week to discuss ways to fix the cosmetic cracks.
Previously reported
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development addressed safety concerns, stating the overpass at LA 3021 "can support its full rated weight load" in a release on Saturday.
"Concrete cracking and spalling on substructure elements of this bridge are due to wear and tear and is common on older bridge structures of this type," DOTD said.
They said the damage was noted back in January during the department's bridge inspection. DOTD said after the inspection, the bridge is still safe to drive on.
"As a result of the latest inspection, there currently are no limitations, meaning it can support its full rated weight load."
DOTD said they will continue to monitor the bridge and implement any necessary countermeasures, as appropriate.
Anyone with any concerns about bridge or road structures should check with DOTD by calling 877-452-3683 or emailing dotdcs@la.gov.
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