A myriad of repairs made to enhance quality of bridge

When Iberia Parish Public Works employees began repairing the Belle Place/Olivier Road Bridge between Loreauville and Northside Road, they found many items that needed to be addressed.

Iberia Parish Public Works Director Kevin Hagerich said the building attached to the bridge needed a new roof, electrical equipment and components needed to be repaired, lights needed to be replaced and an abundance of rust on the metal parts of the bridge, among other things, needed attention.

“In a nutshell, the bridge had gone beyond its point,” Hagerich said.

Public Works has since ordered new parts, upgraded lights, re-wired components, steamed, painted and put up a new roof with proper slope, Hagerich said.

The bridge is open and in better shape than it has been in years.

“I believe with normal preventative maintenance, we will be able to maintain this bridge in a better state of repair,” Hagerich said.