Curfews of six Lafourche Parish bridges changed

To keep traffic flowing in the mornings when schools are in session, the Lafourche Parish Government and U.S. Coast Guard are changing the curfew for six Bayou Lafourche bridges beginning Jan. 22.

The six bridges all cross Bayou Lafourche south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. They are: the Golden Meadow Vertical Lift Bridge; the Galliano Pontoon Bridge; the South Lafourche (Tarpon) Vertical Lift Bridge; the Cote Blanche Pontoon Bridge; the Cut Off Vertical Lift Bridge; and the Larose Pontoon Bridge.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 22, the bridges will be closed to water traffic from 7 to 8:30 a.m.; between 2 and 4 p.m.; and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

At all other times, the bridges will open on signal for water vessels.

The Valentine Pontoon Bridge will open to water vessels on signal between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aside from that time period, the bridge will open on signal if the bridge attendant is notified at least four hours in advance. The attendant can be reached at (985) 637-0758. Should callers get no answer, the Lafourche Parish Government’s answering service n at (985) 446-8427 n can direct the call.

The initial curfew will last until May 15. At the start of each school year, the curfew will be reenacted, Public Works Manager David Poincon said.

The schedule change was made to accommodate school traffic, which has been slowed by drawn bridges, Poincon said.

For more information about the curfew change, contact the Department of Public Works at (985) 537-7603.