re: Planned I-10 widening will involve replacing elevated highway through Baton Rouge

quote:

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Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson says the 60-year-old structure is nearing the end of its life and will need to be replaced within 15 years anyway, so it only makes sense to do it now while adding a third lane in each direction.

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That's a bunch of BS. It was also the same argument that anti-highway folks in New Orleans tried to use as an excuse to tear down the elevated Claiborne Expressway, "nearing the end of its life".

We're talking reinforced concrete structures here, not a pro sports stadium or an asphalt shingle roof. If inspected and adequately maintained, that stuff can last for a lot longer then 75 years:

Is the Greater New Orleans Bridge/Crescent City Connection and Pontchartrain Expressway, which is just as old (completed 1959) nearing the end of its life? No.

Is the Golden Gate Bridge, completed in 1937, nearing the end of its life? No.

Are the original trusses and rail supports of the Jefferson Parish Huey P. Long Bridge (completed in 1935) nearing the end of their life? No.

Is the Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, nearing the end of its life? No.