Traffic headed east out of New Orleans is about to get much worse in the next two months. The mile long cracks in the I-10 between Causeway and Clearview are set to be repaired beginning in May.
WWL 4: Huge crack in I-10 in Metairie to get fix (http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Bad-Stretch-Of-I-10-To-Get-Facelift-86996892.html) (video included).
With construction already going on at I-10/Causeway and Causeway/Vets traffic is already at a stand still from Causeway to 17th Street Canal from 2:30pm to about 7:00pm. The feeders from Bonnabel to Causeway are parking lots as well. Throw in construction that's set to start on the new Causeway overpass at the levee and it will only get worse. Earhart is almost completely dug up from Pine St to the Parish Line and Jeff Highway is about to be torn down at Huey P/Clearview. Basically there will be no fully open or construction free route from Orleans to East Jefferson Parish until probably sometime next year. Can you say commuter hell :ded:.
I'll be down that way in a couple weeks, but will likely be on 90 instead of I-10
Sorry to bump this, but here are some very recent pics of the progress at I-10/Causeway/Veterans, courtesy of DOTD.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.la.gov%2Fadministration%2Fpublic_info%2Fprojects%2Fcausewayinterchange%2Fimages%255CPouring%2520the%2520surface%2520of%2520the%2520Northbound%2520Causeway%2520to%2520Westbound%2520I-10%2520ramp%2520crossing%2520over%2520I-10%2520April%25202010..JPG&hash=4b00939ba84402fe725607daa65a44f599faf384)
New ramp from northbound Causeway to I-10 West is nearly complete. At the top, you can see some of the piers for the ramp from southbound Causeway over Veterans to I-10 West.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.la.gov%2Fadministration%2Fpublic_info%2Fprojects%2Fcausewayinterchange%2Fimages%255CInstalling%2520girders%2520for%2520the%2520westboud%2520I-10%2520to%2520North%2520Causeway%2520elevated%2520ramp%2520April%25202010.JPG&hash=a345a6a2490daaecca692b74f5995e028c1b49da)
A look at the new ramp UC that will take motorists from I-10 West over Veterans to northbound Causeway.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.la.gov%2Fadministration%2Fpublic_info%2Fprojects%2Fcausewayinterchange%2Fimages%255CNew%2520girders%2520for%2520the%2520elevated%2520portion%2520of%2520I-10%2520westbound%2520to%2520North%2520Causeway%2520April%25202010..JPG&hash=080055ef27e61d9318903e42776c69d768e1d4c3)
Am upclose look at the ramp in the previous pic, looking north.
It's strange (for me) to see actual progress on this interchange after 4 years or driving through Metairie wondering what the concrete piers were going to lead to.
I'm still trying to figure out how the SB Causway -> EB I-10 flyover will work. I'm wondering whether it will split from the EB Vets -> I-10 or the SB Causeway -> WB I-10 flyovers or will it be seperate. Like osu-lsu, I remember driving through that interchange for years wondering what they would do with the piers. I also read somewhere long ago that DOTD wanted to put flyovers at Vets/I-10 and maybe Clearview.
If you can read through this graphic (http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/causewayinterchange/images/Project%20overview%20phases%20I%20and%20II%20smaller.jpg), the two ramps to EB I-10 will be separate. The ramp directly from SB Causeway will be a true flyover, and utilize that median embankment built a few years ago. The ramp from Veterans to EB I-10 will start as a ground-level ramp then utilize those piers built on that side of the interchange.
Quote from: Annunciation70130 on May 10, 2010, 02:23:54 PM
I'm still trying to figure out how the SB Causway -> EB I-10 flyover will work. I'm wondering whether it will split from the EB Vets -> I-10 or the SB Causeway -> WB I-10 flyovers or will it be seperate. Like osu-lsu, I remember driving through that interchange for years wondering what they would do with the piers. I also read somewhere long ago that DOTD wanted to put flyovers at Vets/I-10 and maybe Clearview.
I could maybe see Clearview getting flyovers (it would probably be similar to what they did at Power Blvd or even at Causeway). How would they implement flyovers at Veterans? What movements should get flyovers there?
I have to wonder: after being here for a month now, I have noticed that traffic *always* backs up going west on I-10 at the 610 merge going into Jefferson Parish. Is this all caused by the construction, or was the widening job not designed properly (which is my theory)?
Flyovers on Clearview/I-10 would probably work only if they were also planning on elevating the main lanes on Clearview and upgrading it to a freeway.
I don't think that flyovers are really needed on Veterans/I-10...the traffic count probably doesn't warrrant such.
I'd much prefer they build direct flyover access between I-10 WB and the Louie Armstrong International Airport access road. Having to take the Williams Blvd. exit and then double back is a bit much...unless using I-310 to Airline Highway is more preferred.
Anthony
Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 11, 2010, 11:33:39 AM
Flyovers on Clearview/I-10 would probably work only if they were also planning on elevating the main lanes on Clearview and upgrading it to a freeway.
I don't think that flyovers are really needed on Veterans/I-10...the traffic count probably doesn't warrrant such.
I'd much prefer they build direct flyover access between I-10 WB and the Louie Armstrong International Airport access road. Having to take the Williams Blvd. exit and then double back is a bit much...unless using I-310 to Airline Highway is more preferred.
Anthony
Signage suggests taking I-310 to Airline for freight traffic. Passengers are recommended using Williams Blvd. To which I would I like a ramp from I-10 EB to the Airport access road as well (having driven to from BR to Louie Armstrong for flights).
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 11, 2010, 09:39:00 AM
I have to wonder: after being here for a month now, I have noticed that traffic *always* backs up going west on I-10 at the 610 merge going into Jefferson Parish. Is this all caused by the construction, or was the widening job not designed properly (which is my theory)?
That backup is because motorists from I-10 west are looking to get over to exit at Bonnabel (which the far right lane from I-610 becomes exit only) and at Causeway. It's been that way for decades.
The delays are a little heavier now at Causeway because those exiting to North Causeway have to use the ground-level road through Veterans (traffic lights) instead of taking the Veterans overpass due to the construction of the new flyover ramp.
As far as leaving New Orleans International, motorists can also travel west on Veterans to Loyola Drive and get on I-10 West there instead of using Williams.
[Removed unnecessary markup. -S.]
Quote from: brownpelican on May 12, 2010, 02:23:20 AM
That backup is because motorists from I-10 west are looking to get over to exit at Bonnabel (which the far right lane from I-610 becomes exit only) and at Causeway. It's been that way for decades.
The delays are a little heavier now at Causeway because those exiting to North Causeway have to use the ground-level road through Veterans (traffic lights) instead of taking the Veterans overpass due to the construction of the new flyover ramp.
As far as leaving New Orleans International, motorists can also travel west on Veterans to Loyola Drive and get on I-10 West there instead of using Williams.
I would say the backups at 610 and the I-10 are because of the Causeway and Clearview mess. The biggest problem here is how the Bonnabel flyover merges into a lane that is about to drop. 1 lane drops at Bonnabel, then 2 more at Causeway leaving 4 lanes and then the right lane drops. People get into the right lane thinking it will continue and as soon as traffic from Bonnabel slides in, the lane drops and people start jumping over. Then you get the Clearview exit and the highway narrows down to 3 lanes with traffic entering from Clearview (with little merge space) all at the same time.
If your on the westbound I-10 getting to Bonnabel isn't a problem if you're in the right lane by the time you pass the Florida exit. I've done this every week during afternoon rush hour for 4 months now.
Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 11, 2010, 11:33:39 AM
Flyovers on Clearview/I-10 would probably work only if they were also planning on elevating the main lanes on Clearview and upgrading it to a freeway.
I don't think that flyovers are really needed on Veterans/I-10...the traffic count probably doesn't warrrant such.
I'd much prefer they build direct flyover access between I-10 WB and the Louie Armstrong International Airport access road. Having to take the Williams Blvd. exit and then double back is a bit much...unless using I-310 to Airline Highway is more preferred.
Anthony
There isn't enough traffic moving from Clearview and I-10 to warrant flyovers. Something needs to be done about the Clearview to I-10 west entrance though, but the Transcontinental overpass will be widened in the future anyway.
I can't see them at Vets either. A direct entrance to I-10 west from East Vets would be nice though.
MSY is planning a western access road as part of their expansion so who knows...
Quote from: Annunciation70130 on May 13, 2010, 02:20:24 PM
I would say the backups at 610 and the I-10 are because of the Causeway and Clearview mess. The biggest problem here is how the Bonnabel flyover merges into a lane that is about to drop. 1 lane drops at Bonnabel, then 2 more at Causeway leaving 4 lanes and then the right lane drops. People get into the right lane thinking it will continue and as soon as traffic from Bonnabel slides in, the lane drops and people start jumping over. Then you get the Clearview exit and the highway narrows down to 3 lanes with traffic entering from Clearview (with little merge space) all at the same time.
Does a lot of traffic get off of I-10 Westbound onto Clearview in the afternoons? I don't understand why LaDOTD didn't extend that lane that drops after the Causeway interchange to the Clearview (so that the WB cross-section of I-10 would have four main lanes plus the two auxillary lanes that exit onto Ciearview). My guess is lack of ROW.
Does anyone know how much the interstate will be widened between Clearview and Vets?
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 13, 2010, 02:41:31 PM
Does a lot of traffic get off of I-10 Westbound onto Clearview in the afternoons? I don't understand why LaDOTD didn't extend that lane that drops after the Causeway interchange to the Clearview (so that the WB cross-section of I-10 would have four main lanes plus the two auxillary lanes that exit onto Ciearview). My guess is lack of ROW.
Does anyone know how much the interstate will be widened between Clearview and Vets?
Westbound traffic getting off at Clearview have two dedicated lanes so it's not that big of an issue. The problem there is traffic getting onto the I-10 from Clearview has to squeeze into a tight merge because the Transcontinental overpass is only feet away. I have no idea why the lane drops or how it will be incorporated into the final product. When everything is done the stretch between Causeway and Clearview is supposed to be 8 lanes with auxillaries between the two exits. (10 total). The stretch from Clearview to Vets is supposed to the exact same way as far as I know. Then the work is supposed to move west to Williams and tie into the overpass that comes in from the left.
DOTD has started putting up Detour signs for I-10 west at Clearview. All hell is going to break loose once they start ripping that up.
One of my proposals is to add WB onramp and EB offramp to Transcontinental and I-10. This would give a lot of relief to Clearview for those living/working on the west side of Clearview. If someone is coming from the airport and they live ON Transcontinental, they must exit at Clearview. That's a 1/2 mile past Trans. Then after exiting, must backtrack another 1/2 mile to get back to Trans. by using either West Napoleon or Veterans.
If you figure 250 vehicles per hour (no idea, just making up a number), that's 6,000 vehicles per day saving *6,000 miles* of gas and time. Even using 30 mpg, which is a joke in the city, but using 30 mpg just to show a bare minimum, that's 200 gallons of fuel saved per day. Plus you shave time off driving, and the cars exiting at Trans are not in the hair of Clearview of traffic in the first place. And, this helps out the westbound onramp at Veterans exit 225.
So simple. Maybe this can be included in the I-10 widening when they begin that project? How can I make this suggestion known to DOTD??
The catch there is that FHWA policy is generally for full interchanges only on Interstates. There would have to be a *VERY GOOD* reason, usually some sort of physical restraint, why you would only build a partial interchange. I don't think your idea for ramps at Transcontinential will fly unless you make it a full interchange, and then you'd run into spacing issues with the interchange at Clearview.
As a side note, if they live on that side of Clearview, they might as well just hop on Airline to get to/from the airport. Or use the ramps at Veterans (I've done both myself).
well, it's only Jefferson Parish anyway.
Quote from: lamsalfl on May 18, 2010, 02:44:53 AM
One of my proposals is to add WB onramp and EB offramp to Transcontinental and I-10. This would give a lot of relief to Clearview for those living/working on the west side of Clearview. If someone is coming from the airport and they live ON Transcontinental, they must exit at Clearview. That's a 1/2 mile past Trans. Then after exiting, must backtrack another 1/2 mile to get back to Trans. by using either West Napoleon or Veterans.
If you figure 250 vehicles per hour (no idea, just making up a number), that's 6,000 vehicles per day saving *6,000 miles* of gas and time. Even using 30 mpg, which is a joke in the city, but using 30 mpg just to show a bare minimum, that's 200 gallons of fuel saved per day. Plus you shave time off driving, and the cars exiting at Trans are not in the hair of Clearview of traffic in the first place. And, this helps out the westbound onramp at Veterans exit 225.
So simple. Maybe this can be included in the I-10 widening when they begin that project? How can I make this suggestion known to DOTD??
I doubt that would work because:
A) Clearview and Transcontinental are too close together
B) Traffic on Veterans between the two above-mentioned streets would be even worse than they are now (Clearview and Veterans is one of the busiest intersections on the entire South Shore).
Some good news for Causeway and I-10 motorists: DOTD will reopen the notorious merge area where northbound Causeway motorists could exit to Veterans and I-10 West motorists can merge onto northbound Causeway sometime Wednesday morning.
The new elevated ramp from I-10 West to the Causeway overpass should open in November or December.
[Removed unnecessary markup and merged consecutive posts. -S.]
Quote from: brownpelican on May 19, 2010, 02:00:37 AM
B) Traffic on Veterans between the two above-mentioned streets would be even worse than they are now (Clearview and Veterans is one of the busiest intersections on the entire South Shore).[/font][/color]
It is one of the few intersections I have seen with a triple left turn lane from WB Vets to SB Clearview.
Quote from: brownpelican on May 19, 2010, 02:00:37 AM
I doubt that would work because:
A) Clearview and Transcontinental are too close together
B) Traffic on Veterans between the two above-mentioned streets would be even worse than they are now (Clearview and Veterans is one of the busiest intersections on the entire South Shore).
I don't think you follow. I'm talking about building ramps on the WEST side of Transcontinental. Traffic using these 2 ramps would not go anywhere near Clearview. Also, you have ramps in downtown areas that are sometimes less than 1/4 mile apart, and my 2 ramps don't even go near the Clearview ramps. My traffic doesn't interfere in any way with Clearview traffic.
I don't see what these 2 ramps have anything to do with Veterans. All these ramps are just supplementary, and connect Transcontinental interests with anything west. Kenner, Baton Rouge, or Las Cruces.
You'd still run into the FHWA policy that prefers (if not outright requiring) full interchanges...in which case the closeness to Clearview does come into play.
Quote from: froggie on May 20, 2010, 12:32:12 PM
You'd still run into the FHWA policy that prefers (if not outright requiring) full interchanges...in which case the closeness to Clearview does come into play.
Maybe the full interchange could involve a braided ramp configuration between Clearview and Transcontinental that is similar to Bonnabel/Causeway, but of course that would significantly impact the cost of the interchange.
Quote from: froggie on May 20, 2010, 12:32:12 PM
You'd still run into the FHWA policy that prefers (if not outright requiring) full interchanges...in which case the closeness to Clearview does come into play.
But there's an half interchange for Power Blvd. near the airport. That's recent (as in the last 10-15 years), isn't it?
85% of the interchanges in the GNO area are half, one-sided, or indirect; but for most of those a full interchange would be costly or impossible. I like the idea of the braided ramp, but it would require more ROW to not conflict with NB Clearview -> WB I-10. SB Clearview to WB I-10 would need some space too.
Somewhat related: Google Earth has updated the images in the New Orleans area (March 23 to be exact). That means you can see the scope of the I-10/Causeway/Veterans interchange construction in good detail.
[Removed unnecessary markup. -S.]
Quote from: brownpelican on May 27, 2010, 11:55:37 AM
Somewhat related: Google Earth has updated the images in the New Orleans area (March 23 to be exact). That means you can see the scope of the I-10/Causeway/Veterans interchange construction in good detail.
[Removed unnecessary markup. -S.]
You con also get a glimpse of the Huey Long progress and various street construction in the city. I just wish that U.S. 90 would been fully above grade from the bridge to the WB EXPWY.
Along those lines, you can also check out all but the northernmost approach of the new Twin Spans, with DOTD in the process of moving westbound traffic to most of the new westbound span. Including the crossover config on both approaches, since the old eastbound span needs to be removed in order to finish the approaches on the new westbound span.
Cloudy day when those photos were taken. Lack of color :-/. Looks like just the area around Lake Pontratrain was updated. Wonder if the updated maps coinsided with the oil spill in the gulf (which too is now shown with one of the layers).
Quote from: Annunciation70130 on May 27, 2010, 12:15:26 PM
Quote from: brownpelican on May 27, 2010, 11:55:37 AM
Somewhat related: Google Earth has updated the images in the New Orleans area (March 23 to be exact). That means you can see the scope of the I-10/Causeway/Veterans interchange construction in good detail.
You con also get a glimpse of the Huey Long progress and various street construction in the city. I just wish that U.S. 90 would been fully above grade from the bridge to the WB EXPWY.
I somewhat agree. They could have built frontage roads between Bridge City Ave and River Road/9 Mile Point Road.
I'll be glad when they redo the WB Expy/U.S. 90 interchange.
[Removed unnecessary markup. -S.]
Quote from: osu-lsu on May 27, 2010, 11:48:55 PM
Cloudy day when those photos were taken. Lack of color :-/. Looks like just the area around Lake Pontratrain was updated. Wonder if the updated maps coinsided with the oil spill in the gulf (which too is now shown with one of the layers).
Doesn't look cloudy to me. The sun is definitely out...however, all resolutions over large bodies of water isn't as fine as the urban land areas.
[Removed unnecessary markup. -S.]
I noticed yesterday that on I-10 east at the Causeway Blvd interchange, there are three lanes going east and two lanes exiting to Causeway/Bonnabel. I-10 east going under Causeway was built to accommodate four lanes eastbound, but it is only striped for three. Once east of the Causeway overpass, the fourth lane magically appears to the right.
Did the scope of work for the I-10 widening between Causeway and I-610 not include striping that fourth lane under the Causeway overpass and fixing the exit going eastbound on I-10 so that the second right lane doesn't exit off to Causeway/Bonnabel?
Google Maps:
I-10 east at Causeway/Bonnabel exit ramp (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=metairie,+la&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Metairie,+Jefferson,+Louisiana&ll=29.997602,-90.159688&spn=0.002532,0.005284&t=k&z=18) - two lanes exit here, but the intent was for the left most exit lane to be an option lane for I-1o east or for Causeway/Bonnabel.
I-10 east through the Causeway interchange (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=metairie,+la&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Metairie,+Jefferson,+Louisiana&ll=29.997077,-90.15442&spn=0.002532,0.005284&t=k&z=18) - Notice how the fourth lane abruptly starts after the new ramp under construction.
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 30, 2010, 01:41:20 PM
I noticed yesterday that on I-10 east at the Causeway Blvd interchange, there are three lanes going east and two lanes exiting to Causeway/Bonnabel. I-10 east going under Causeway was built to accommodate four lanes eastbound, but it is only striped for three. Once east of the Causeway overpass, the fourth lane magically appears to the right.
As far as I know, the final project should have 8 thru lanes with auxiliary lanes between Clearview and Causeway.
What I don't understand is the westbound lane drop just past Bonnnabel, but I guess we'll see soon enough.
How are eight lanes gonna fit in the area between Causeway and Clearview?
The project coming up between Causeway and Clearview is simply a repaving project. I think the six lanes plus two auxillary lanes between these two exits were the original plans...unless I missed something.
[Arial is terrible. -S.]
Quote from: brownpelican on June 03, 2010, 10:33:05 PM
How are eight lanes gonna fit in the area between Causeway and Clearview?
The project coming up between Causeway and Clearview is simply a repaving project. I think the six lanes plus two auxillary lanes between these two exits were the original plans...unless I missed something.
It's currently 3 lanes 2 aux in each direction. The plans call for 4 lanes 1 aux in each direction. The EB side can easily be restriped to this configuration. When the do the Clearview to Vets phase it'll work for the WB side.
Anyone noticed this yet?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fileden.com%2Ffiles%2F2008%2F10%2F16%2F2145144%2F%2FDSC00684.jpg&hash=cdadc17615d9ed14f1f0d58947eb83a675e54803)
The cracks in the concrete? :paranoid:
Was that one of the "old supports" (built pre-katrina)?
I'd actually write to the Times-Picayune and let them go investigate this.
I haven't noticed that...that's westbound right?
No, that one would have been post-Katrina...IIRC it was built when they were messing with the Bonnabel interchange and the widening between 17th and Causeway.
As of this morning it has been repaired or at least patched.
Quote from: froggie on June 15, 2010, 06:45:44 AM
No, that one would have been post-Katrina...IIRC it was built when they were messing with the Bonnabel interchange and the widening between 17th and Causeway.
New concrete? Y(^(%%&_!!!
Anybody want to risk life and limb to see if any of the other supports there are falling apart as well?
Well you know they had to tear down and rebuild the Bonnabel and Oaklawn overpasses and rebuild them a 2nd time because Boh Bros. supposedly used structurally defecient concrete or something. The fact that the roadbed is expanding rapidly in 3 different directions in such short a time frame should tell us something.
I wonder if the engineers did test breaks for that batch of concrete to see if it met specs? I also have to wonder if the heat of the day caused the concrete to lose its moisture too quickly, causing shrinkage cracking. Does anyone remember what time of the year the concrete for that bridge support was poured?
New photos from the Causeway project (from DOTD):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.la.gov%2Fadministration%2Fpublic_info%2Fprojects%2Fcausewayinterchange%2Fimages%2FLooking%2520southeast%2520from%2520the%2520Lakeside%2520Mall%2C%2520completed%2520bridge%2520supports%2520for%2520the%2520new%2520I-10%2520west%2520to%2520the%2520elevated%2520North%2520Causeway%2520lining%2520up%2520ready%2520for%2520girders%2520June%25202010.JPG&hash=5873917d287fa5a8701cd5f58b2bb78451afb7d0)
A look at the new I-10 West to northbound Causeway elevated ramp (from Lakeside Mall).
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.la.gov%2Fadministration%2Fpublic_info%2Fprojects%2Fcausewayinterchange%2Fimages%2FLooking%2520south%2520from%252026th%2520Street%2520crews%2520set%2520concrete%2520forms%2520and%2520caps%2520for%2520the%2520I-10%2520west%2520to%2520South%2520Causeway%2520ramp%2520June%25202010.jpg&hash=8e60b5d25f40d971231612f6df647dad16b2d6a0)
Southbound look at the new elevated ramp for southbound Causeway to I-10 West and East.
On a related note, starting at 6 am June 21, the northbound Causeway-to-I-10 West ramp will close for 90 days so the new ramp that will replace this ramp can be completed.During this time, the new replacement ramp from northbound Causeway to Veterans will be constructed.
This area (most of Metairie) is so ugly. Glad I won't have to see it anymore when I start my new job. Lol...just look at that first picture in the post above. :-D
Causeway Interchange Phase 1 and 2 update (http://www.dotd.la.gov/pressreleases/release.aspx?key=1421)
"Work began on Phase 1 of the new interchange in April 2009 and will be complete in winter 2010. Phase 2 began in November 2009 and will be complete in summer 2012.
The new North Causeway Boulevard to I-10 West on-ramp will be complete in late September 2010.
The new I-10 West to North Causeway ramp, which will span over Veterans Boulevard when complete, is progressing north from I-10. The ramp is scheduled for completion in late December 2010.
As for the new North Causeway to Veterans off-ramp, the ground level portion of this ramp is complete and the exit to Veterans is open to traffic via a temporary road. The bridge portion of this ramp will be open in late November 2010.
Work on the South Causeway to I-10 West on-ramp, which will span over Veterans when complete, is underway between I-10 and Veterans. Installation of the large steel girders which span over Causeway is also underway.
The first layer of asphalt is complete between the service road and I-10 for the new ground-level on-ramp from Veterans to I-10 West.
Work on the new I-10 East on-ramp from Veterans, which will span over I-10 when complete, is underway north and south of I-10.
The construction of drainage structures and water lines along ground-level southbound Causeway is also underway.
CURRENT LANE AND RAMP CLOSURES
The new North Causeway Boulevard to I-10 West on-ramp is closed until late September. The detour is South Service Road to the U-turn at Bonnabel to I-10 West on the Bonnabel on-ramp.
The North I-10 Service Road just east of Causeway remains closed at 27th Street. A temporary road has been constructed to 26th Street so the service road can be accessed from Southbound Causeway Blvd. via 26th Street to Athania Parkway. This road will be open whenever possible during construction. During certain operations, such as the installation of the steel girders, the North Service Road will be completely closed and traffic will be detoured to Severn Street to access the service road.
The U-turn south of Veterans leading to Southbound Causeway is closed. Motorists headed to the I-10 service road should exit at Clearview.
Ground-level Northbound Causeway is reduced to one lane and the U-turn north of Veterans closed.
o Alternate route for Westbound I-10: Exit at Bonnabel to West Esplanade to Causeway.
o Alternate Route for Westbound Veterans: Instead of continuing on Causeway through Veterans, turn right onto eastbound Veterans and U-turn to go west.
Ground-level South Causeway south of Veterans is reduced to one lane. The far-right lane of South Causeway between Veterans and I-10 is closed. This is the 3rd lane that serves as the acceleration lane for Veterans entering South Causeway. Veterans traffic should drive with care and yield as they enter South Causeway.
Motorists should expect delays, and we ask that you proceed through the project with caution. Be on the lookout for flaggers and construction traffic entering and exiting the highway, side streets and driveways.
Traffic entering and exiting some streets, driveways, businesses and subdivisions will be temporarily inconvenienced while construction continues. If your business or residence has two entrances/exits, one entrance/exit may be closed temporarily during construction operations, but the other entrance will remain open allowing access to your business or residence. If your business has one entrance/exit, we will maintain traffic in and out of the business or residence while crews work across the driveway."
Shots of the I-10/Causeway/Vets interchange from the T-P.
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Those are some big-ass girders on the future southbound ramps.
I got some pics of the interchange today. I hope to have them up soon.
Did you see how they fixed the big cracks on I-10 between Clearview and Causeway?
Here's the link to the photos I mentioned; the Causeway work is on page three. The other pics are just random photos from around the city. Excuse the windshield crack in some of the photos. :)
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/578548681wMlDqI?vhost=outdoors (http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/578548681wMlDqI?vhost=outdoors)
Quote from: brownpelican on September 07, 2010, 11:17:29 PM
Did you see how they fixed the big cracks on I-10 between Clearview and Causeway?
If that's the final product, they really HALF-ASSED that.
I agree. I expected them to rip up everything and do a repaving.
New Interstate 10 ramp at Causeway Boulevard to open Friday (http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2010/09/new_interstate_10_ramp_at_caus.html)
"The first piece of the $100 million effort to overhaul the Interstate 10 interchange with Causeway Boulevard in Metairie is scheduled to open Friday, the state Department of Transportation and Development said today."
Ramp Relief (http://www.fox8live.com/news/local/story/Ramp-relief/vC6yW-proU2RjgEDDm77Cg.cspx)
"Metairie-- Motorists accustomed to delays along Causeway Boulevard tasted their first relief Friday with the opening of the new I-10 on-ramp."
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Got an E-mail news release about that the other day. Looks like the ramp from NB Causeway to WB I-10.
Correct. The new elevated ramp from WB I-10 to North Causeway is next in line to be opened.
Quote from: brownpelican on September 20, 2010, 11:16:20 PM
Correct. The new elevated ramp from WB I-10 to North Causeway is next in line to be opened.
How soon? I believe I remember hearing Nov-Dec.
That sounds about right.
Here we go again.....
------------------------------
Causeway Boulevard ramp closed after cracks are discovered (http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2010/11/causeway_boulevard_ramp_closed.html)
"Cracks in a support column beneath a flyover ramp connecting Causeway Boulevard to westbound lanes on Interstate 10 prompted the state Department of Transportation to close the ramp this afternoon, said John Guidry, a department district bridge engineer. The ramp, which allowed Causeway traffic south of I-10 onto the interstate near the Galleria in Metairie, had just opened in September after a three-month closure to remove an older ramp."
Causeway column cracks at Interstate 10 still a mystery (http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/11/cracks_in_causeway_ramp_presen.html)
"State officials said this afternoon that finding the cause of troublesome cracks in an exit ramp support column in the Interstate 10 interchange upgrade at Causeway Boulevard is proving to be a vexing endeavor...
...cracks in a column and cap prompted the department last week to close the new ramp connecting northbound Causeway to westbound I-10 as a safety precaution...
...Crews removed a similarly cracked column and cap on Nov. 5 in a location where a ramp from southbound Causeway to eastbound I-10 has yet to be built atop the columns. Both damaged columns were built in 2006."
Hmm, wrong mix design? Too much freeze/thawing? If these piers were installed during the widening of I-10 between Causeway and I-610, then it may also bring the integrity of the mainline I-10 bridge piers into question along that stretch as well.
Quote from: codyg1985 on November 21, 2010, 11:22:04 AM
Hmm, wrong mix design? Too much freeze/thawing? If these piers were installed during the widening of I-10 between Causeway and I-610, then it may also bring the integrity of the mainline I-10 bridge piers into question along that stretch as well.
The mainline bridges had to be torn down and replaced early last year after they had just been built. That's why the Causeway to 17th Street Canal section was behind schedule opening. They tried keep it hush, but it was quite obvious that they were tearing down brand new overpasses. They actually tried to be quiet about these piers as well. I posted a picture of the first one a page or 2 back I think, but then the 2nd one cracked while supporting an open overpass and a third crumbled. They know what's going on :ded:. Boh Bros. admitted last year that a bad concrete mix had been used.
Question is why didn't they tear down those piers that were to be used for the Causeway interchange at the same time if they used the same batch of bad concrete for those piers as well?
I used to do concrete testing about 10 years ago for a Louisiana construction company. With all the testing that you're supposed to do, including joint tests that are done alongside state DOTD inspectors, how did they let it get this far? :confused:
Quote from: UptownRoadGeek on June 14, 2010, 12:53:26 PM
Anyone noticed this yet?
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This past Saturday, I could have sworn I saw that exact pier torn down and they were in the process of rebuilding it.
The new ramp from I-10 West to Causeway North opened Monday afternoon.
http://www.wwltv.com/news/New-exit-ramp-at-I-10-and-Causeway-Blvd-helps-drivers-bypass-Veterans-112212899.html (http://www.wwltv.com/news/New-exit-ramp-at-I-10-and-Causeway-Blvd-helps-drivers-bypass-Veterans-112212899.html)
Another new ramp is set to open tomorrow morning!
http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2012/02/new_metairie_ramp_from_causewa.html
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Substandard ramp. This is 2012 and they're building entrance ramps on the left side of the interstate. Pretty embarrassing, but that's DOTD. They got it right with Power Blvd. It's also crappy with Williams Blvd. Getting on the interstate in the fast lane, not to mention the bulk of that traffic will have to cross a bunch of lanes to get to the CBD. shaking my head...
Quote from: lamsalfl on March 01, 2012, 02:50:29 AM
Substandard ramp. This is 2012 and they're building entrance ramps on the left side of the interstate. Pretty embarrassing, but that's DOTD. They got it right with Power Blvd. It's also crappy with Williams Blvd. Getting on the interstate in the fast lane, not to mention the bulk of that traffic will have to cross a bunch of lanes to get to the CBD. shaking my head...
Perhaps they should put a sign at the end of the ramp saying "WIDE OPEN THROTTLE REQUIRED"... :-D :-P
The new ramp is now open!
http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2012/03/metairie_ramp_from_causeway_bo.html
Quote from: lamsalfl on March 01, 2012, 02:50:29 AM
Substandard ramp. This is 2012 and they're building entrance ramps on the left side of the interstate. Pretty embarrassing, but that's DOTD. They got it right with Power Blvd. It's also crappy with Williams Blvd. Getting on the interstate in the fast lane, not to mention the bulk of that traffic will have to cross a bunch of lanes to get to the CBD. shaking my head...
Two miles should be enough distance for traffic to move over 2 lanes. Realistically speaking, there's little room on the right side of the highway drop a flyover. A case could be made for the Williams ramp, but hey.
Quote from: UptownRoadGeek on March 01, 2012, 01:58:51 PM
Quote from: lamsalfl on March 01, 2012, 02:50:29 AM
Substandard ramp. This is 2012 and they're building entrance ramps on the left side of the interstate. Pretty embarrassing, but that's DOTD. They got it right with Power Blvd. It's also crappy with Williams Blvd. Getting on the interstate in the fast lane, not to mention the bulk of that traffic will have to cross a bunch of lanes to get to the CBD. shaking my head...
Two miles should be enough distance for traffic to move over 2 lanes. Realistically speaking, there's little room on the right side of the highway drop a flyover. A case could be made for the Williams ramp, but hey.
I still can't believe that there are no plans to widen I-10 between Williams (223) and Veterans (225) so that the Williams left hand flyover entrance ramp would have a continuous lane and not have to merge to the right.
Quote from: apjung on March 01, 2012, 02:45:03 PM
I still can't believe that there are no plans to widen I-10 between Williams (223) and Veterans (225) so that the Williams left hand flyover entrance ramp would have a continuous lane and not have to merge to the right.
If I'm not mistaken, that was the original idea.
I must say that the view on the new ramp as you make the second curve is nice, so is the view as you descend into center of a fake 10 lane canyon.
There are plans to 10 lane to Loyola but no money. It's part of the STIP. I'd prefer to see at least SOME money spent on rail though. It's been proven time and time again you can't build yourself out of congestion.
I agree about rail. It's time for BR-NOLA commuter train to implemented.
Is DOTD finally restriping Westbound I-10 at Causeway entrance ramp to 4 thru lanes? I saw the crews last night at where the 4 lane drops to 3.
http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/03/two-day_i-10_westbound_lane_cl.html
I have a question: On Causeway Blvd southbound approaching I-10, has any attempt been made to inform motorists who wish to exit I-10 at Bonnabel Blvd that it's impossible to do so from the new flyover and that they should use the service road or Veterans Blvd instead?
Quote from: Tom958 on March 23, 2014, 12:51:00 PM
And, is the reconfigured SB to EB loop ramp accessible from Causeway Blvd?
No (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.001277,-90.15552&spn=0.003068,0.003091&gl=us&t=k°=270&z=19), only from the frontage road. (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.001957,-90.155493&spn=0.003068,0.003091&gl=us&t=k°=270&z=19&layer=c&cbll=30.001912,-90.155497&panoid=SSOwAtVcMjat34QhC3KAAw&cbp=12,183.96,,0,13.05)
It does not need it as the flyover is there.
Quote from: Tom958 on March 23, 2014, 12:51:00 PM
I have a question: On Causeway Blvd southbound approaching I-10, has any attempt been made to inform motorists who wish to exit I-10 at Bonnabel Blvd that it's impossible to do so from the new flyover and that they should use the service road or Veterans Blvd instead?
They can use ground-level Causeway onto the I-10 EB ramp to get to Bonnabel. That was advertised heavily when the reconstruction was in the news.