Bids for the replacement of the Vida Shaw Bridge will be delayed to give parish officials and citizens more time to discuss the future of the structure.

The state Department of Transportation and Development was scheduled to receive bids for the replacement of the nearly 70-year-old, single-lane bridge Wednesday. However, recent interest in the bridge has sparked state Rep. Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette, to request a delay.

Hebert, in an April 12 letter to Bill Fontenot, Acadiana district administrator for the state Department of Transportation and Development, asked that DOTD postpone the bids to replace the bridge for another 30 to 60 days.

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“After talking to parish officials and hearing from local residents, this additional time will hopefully afford us the opportunity to discuss other options dealing with this historic structure,” Hebert explained in his request.

Romero said a meeting will take place in the next 30 days in the Loreauville area so both sides can present their concerns to state and local officials, as well as representatives from the DOTD.

Fontenot said Friday the bids are now scheduled to be received May 30.

“It seems that parish officials, state officials and citizens want some questions answered,” Fontenot said. “This is a parish bridge and, as one of our fundamental elements, DOTD looks to the parish to prioritize its needs. If they want time to talk about it, it’s only fair to give that time.”

Fontenot said replacement of the bridge, built in 1938, has been in the program for some time.

“Like many of our bridges across the region and across the state, this one has been identified for repair or replacement,” he said.

The plan is to swap out the existing swing-span bridge with a newer — albeit “used” — two-lane bascule bridge.

A bascule is a structure counterbalanced so when one end is lowered the other is raised.

The proposed replacement bridge previously was used as a temporary crossing over the Delcambre Canal in the 1990s when the current lift-span bridge was constructed there. It currently is at a state-owned storage site awaiting removal and, if ultimately used, will be hauled in large, separate components to its new location.

Fontenot said the complete project is expected to cost an estimated $2.5 million, with the work on the approaches. The current bridge will be dismantled and salvaged and turned over to the parish, he said.

Glenn Romero, parish councilman representing that area between New Iberia and Loreauville, previously said he hopes to one day see the bridge spanning a pond and used by pedestrians.

Danny David Jr., who lives adjacent to the structure, said he was happy to hear of the delay.

“This will, hopefully, give us time to make this a historic landmark,” David said. “We have to do something to save this bridge. It’s the oldest bridge in the parish.”

Attempts to contact people in favor of replacing the bridge were unsuccessful.

“I’ve talked with people on both sides of the issue,” Hebert said, adding that he feels the delay will give DOTD and parish officials more time to come up with a definitive plan for the bridge.

Romero said he, also, has been contacted by people on both sides of the issue.

“I told them I’m just going to have to go with the majority,” he said.

If bids are accepted by DOTD May 30, Fontenot said he expects work to replace the structure to begin within 60 to 90 days.

“It should be under way by the fall,” he said.