By Paige Nash

The LA 160 bridge located near Cotton Valley that goes over the Dorcheat Bayou has been closed due to the condition of the bridge since June 18 of last year. The rebuild of the bridge just received a low bid of $9,387,832.12 from an unnamed contractor.  

The project also includes three other bridges receiving rehabilitation along LA 160, in the same section of Dorcheat bottoms.  

This job was the most expensive bid of the 19 projects in the state being funded by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Fifteen contractors were presented with apparent low bids on the 19 projects totaling $51.1 million. 

This span of bridges falls in Webster Parish districts 3, 4 and 5. According to District #4 Police Juror, Randy Thomas, the review of the bid contract will take approximately 30 days, which is normal for every project.  

The project received 3 bids, and all were over the estimated cost. 

“After review, the department will determine if it will be awarded,” said David North, District Engineer with LADOTD. “If it is awarded, the construction should start by summer’s end and will probably take about 2.5 years.” 

 Vehicle detours will remain on US 371, LA 2 and LA 159.  

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