The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced May 11 that maintenance work on the Judge Seeber Bridge has been extended until June 1.

DOTD announced this week that, during the process of refurbishing the bridge’s mechanical drive systems, contractors found extensive damage in the structural bearing areas that support motors and gearboxes. Replacement parts are currently being fabricated.

According to DOTD, discoveries of this kind are typical when dealing with aging draw bridges.

The so-called Claiborne Bridge, one of three bridges that connect St. Bernard Parish to Orleans Parish, has been closed since mid-March. DOTD initially closed the bridge to perform mechanical upgrades, replace cables and repair beams. The bridge is scheduled to close again in July to allow crews to replace the bridge’s decking.

That closure should last about 20 days.

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