BELLE CHASSE, La. — The Belle Chasse Bridge has reopened after a vehicle allegedly hit a barrier that prevents cars from going into the water when the bridge is raised for boat traffic.
The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office said that a car hit one of the safety barriers. It's unclear if that barrier was up or if it hit the side.
That damaged the cables it's connected to.
The gearbox of another set of barriers is to be fixed and to be reconstructed but while it is down, DOTD workers are physically blocking traffic from coming on the bridge when it has to be raised for passing boat traffic.
This will happen for 24 hours a day and will last a while.
The person driving the car that hit the barrier has been taken to the hospital, but their condition isn't known as of midday Wednesday.
The Parish President said the details of the wreck are still under investigation, but the Southbound tunnel will be filled with foam and will open in 2024, while the Northbound tunnel will open in 2025.
The bridge where the accident happened will be demolished.
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