SHREVEPORT, LA — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that two projects to replace three rural bridges in Bienville and Red River Parishes are moving forward.

The $2.2-million LA 507 bridge project located northeast of the village of Womack in Red River Parish is being funded as part of $76.2 million in redistribution money received from the Federal Highway Administration for states that successfully allocate the full amount of their already available funding for construction projects each fiscal year.

So far, clearing and grubbing and removal of the old structure is complete. Currently, the contractor is working on driving pile for the new bridge.

The replacement of two bridges on LA 4 between Castor and Lucky in Bienville Parish — a $2.3-million project — is progressing with the contractor currently in the process of pouring the concrete caps on which the deck will sit for the first bridge replacement. The first replacement is anticipated to be complete in a couple of months, and the contractor will then move to the second bridge site.

All three of these aging rural bridges were closed in April 2019 due to the condition of the structures with the safety of the traveling public being a top priority. Funding was identified and construction projects developed in order to move forward with these replacement projects.

Work on both projects began in April, with both anticipated to be complete in late spring 2021, weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to approach work zones with caution and pay attention to advance warning signs regarding road closures.