Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) is commissioning a fixed bridge to replace the existing tunnel and moveable bridge on the La 23 highway in Belle Chasse.

The three teams are:

  • Connect One Bridging Partners

Equity members: Kiewit Development Company, John Laing Investment, DIF Infra 5 US

Lead contractor: Kiewit Infrastructure South  

Lead designer: Volkert

Tolling operator: American Roads

  • Plenary Infrastructure Belle Chasse  

Equity members: Plenary Group USA Concessions  

Lead contractor: Traylor Bros and Massman Construction Joint Venture

Lead designer: Huval & Associates

Tolling operator: Plenary Group USA Concessions and Kapsch

TrafficCom USA, Inc.

  • UBP Belle Chasse Development

Equity members: United Bridge Operating, Figg Bridge Group

Lead contractor: Belle Chasee Builders Joint Venture (a JV of Johnson Bros Corporation and Figg Bridge Builders)

Lead designer: Figg Bridge Engineers

Tolling Operator: UBP Dominion

The replacement of the Belle Chasse Bridge & Tunnel is being procured under a public-private partnership (P3). The private entity will enter into a comprehensive agreement for the design, construction, financing, as well as operation and maintenance of the new structure.

 “The current configuration on La. 23 in Belle Chasse has been in place for more than 50 years and is antiquated and cumbersome, and its condition is unacceptable,” said DOTD secretary Shawn Wilson. “The state is currently trying to address its infrastructure needs with a revenue stream from the 1980s. We need innovative funding such as P3s if we are going to modernise our system. This is the state’s first attempt to solicit private partners and it is encouraging for us to reach this point in the process with six really impressive teams as we continue to make progress on this much-needed project.”

The state has recently received a US$45 million federal grant in addition to a further US$38.2 million in federal funds. The private partner will provide the remaining funding for the project, which is estimated to cost at least US$125 million, not including contingencies.

The successful proposal will be identified by June 2019; contract execution and a ‘notice to proceed’ are anticipated by October 2019.