{"id":13521,"date":"2024-02-05T11:50:11","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T10:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=13521"},"modified":"2024-02-05T11:50:11","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T10:50:11","slug":"is-the-mississippi-river-bridge-open-in-baton-rouge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/is-the-mississippi-river-bridge-open-in-baton-rouge\/","title":{"rendered":"Is The Mississippi River Bridge Open In Baton Rouge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nThe Mississippi river bridge in Baton Rouge is a critical juncture in the state, connecting two major areas of the city. One of the most iconic and well-known landmarks of the city, it is one of the most vital links in the transportation landscape of the region. For months, the bridge has been the cause of speculation regarding its current state and whether it is open for traffic or not. To get a better understanding of the facts, let us investigate deeper.\n

Information about the bridge<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi river bridge, also known as the Horace Wilkinson Bridge, is an iconic feature of the city’s skyline and a major connecting point between the east and west sides of the city. Spanning over 2.7 miles, the bridge was constructed in 1967 and is made up of over 10 thousand pieces of metal. The bridge alone rises 88 feet above the Mississippi river and is supported by four columns rising to a height of 170 feet. Aside from serving as a crucial connector for the city, the bridge also offers stunning views of the surrounding areas and is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the region. <\/p>\n

The Status of the bridge<\/h2>\n

The bridge has been closed to traffic for a unusual period of time due to the need for major repairs and renovations. A new rehabilitation project was launched back in 2020, leading to the closing of several lanes and temporary closures of parts of the bridge. However, this time, the bridge’s status for the foreseeable future remains uncertain due to an additional factor: the pandemic. The question of whether or not the bridge will be open in the near future has been the cause of much speculation.<\/p>\n

The Perspectives of Local Officials<\/h2>\n

According to statements by the mayor of Baton Rouge, the current status of the bridge is still uncertain. The pandemic has caused delays in the project timeline, and while the city is hopeful that the bridge will re-open soon, the exact date is yet to be determined. While the mayor has expressed his optimism in the possibility of the bridge re-opening in the near future, he has reiterated the need for doing so responsibly and with caution in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved. <\/p>\n

The Perspectives from the Experts <\/h2>\n

Experts believe that the pandemic has posed several unprecedented challenges for the city, and that its effects can be seen in the delay of the bridge’s reopening. Due to the current circumstances, engineers have had to revise their plans for the bridge and come up with new solutions. The delay has caused considerable frustration for residents, who rely heavily on the bridge for their day-to-day lives. However, engineers have stressed that it is imperative to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of everyone concerned. <\/p>\n

The Perspectives from Residents <\/h2>\n