Truck Nut Baws rejoice--Sunshine Bridge opening up 12/1

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The Sunshine Bridge is expected to reopen one lane in each direction on Dec. 1, though there will be limitations, according to the latest update from the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Vehicles allowed to travel across the reopened side of the bridge must be no wider than 11 feet due to narrowed lanes, with permitted loads capped at 80,000 pounds, DOTD says. Any vehicle loads outside of this restriction should continue to use approved detour routes.

The speed limit will be restricted to 45 miles per hour for all vehicles. The state will coordinate with the Louisiana State Police to ensure proper enforcement of the restrictions, DOTD says.

“Crews have been working 24 hours a day to repair the bridge, which has allowed us the opportunity to partially open the bridge to traffic, which we attempted to do after the collision, but it was determined to be unsafe,” says DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson in a statement. “The chord damaged by the crane has been replaced and after an initial inspection, the bridge has been deemed safe for thru traffic in a one-lane configuration.”