UPDATE: A section of the left lane on the Bonnet Carré Spillway heading toward Kenner on Interstate 10 remains closed after a massive truck fire engulfed the bridge on Monday. The Louisiana Department of Transportation warns motorists traveling eastbound on I-10 in that area to expect long delays.
Officials from Troop B of the Louisiana State Police also reminds 18-wheel truckers that their rigs are restricted from traveling East on I-10 on the Spillway. The alternate route is I-12.
WGNO’s Sam Packnett recorded dashcam footage of the damage on the bridge at Exit 220. The left lane is to be closed until further notice.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The eastbound left lane on Interstate 10 at mile marker 218 over the Bonnet Carré Spillway near I-310 South will remain closed due to extensive damage to the bridge caused by a massive truck fire on Monday.
The bridge was completely engulfed in flames causing traffic to be backed up all the way to Kenner, La.
The fire was the second incident on the bridge that day, with multi-vehicle crash occurring earlier in the day.
Both the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Department of Transportation reported the lane will remain closed until further notice as it conducts “emergency repairs” on the bridge.
The Louisiana DOTD statement reads:
The eastbound left lane on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge at milepost 218 near I-310 south will remain closed due to damage to the bridge after a vehicle fire that occurred on Monday, September 20. After the removal of the vehicle and accident debris last night, bridge inspectors determined that the left lane needed to be closed until a more thorough inspection could take place to determine the extent of the damage. The left lane will remain closed pending the results of the detailed structural inspection.
Louisiana Department of Transportation
Congestion is reportedly backing up for miles, so traffic is being detoured to Highway 51 to Airline Highway.
Heavy delays are expected.