ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. — Nearly three weeks after the fatal wrecks on I-55, DOTD said Friday that a full reopening of the interstate was days away.
While southbound lanes had been reopened in late October, a few days after the wreck, repairs to the northbound lanes had taken crews longer to complete.
"Major concrete work on the repaired deck (of I-55 northbound) has been completed," The Department of Transportation said Friday. "DOTD anticipates crews will complete barrier rail repair through the weekend."
Southbound is expected to completely close on Sunday, starting at 6:30 a.m. DOTD has asked drivers to take an alternate route.
"During this time, drivers will be detoured at exit 22 (Service Road) onto Old US 51 and may enter I-55 southbound toward New Orleans at exit 7 (Ruddock,)" DOTD said ahead of the closure. "I-55 southbound will remain open through Sunday morning, with lane closures temporarily near Manchac."
The wrecks on I-55 on Oct. 23 killed seven people and damaged 168 cars.
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