U.S. Coast Guard Captain J.S. Franz, Captain of the Port of Houma, has announced that the Atchafalaya River navigable waterway in the vicinity of the Highway 182 bridge will be closed for approximately 12 hours from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 10. The closure is due to the removal of scaffolding that has been used for the ongoing upgrades and improvements to the bridge. Officials say the removal of the scaffolding is deemed critical due to rising waters that would reduce the air gap that transiting vessels have available.
Mariners are urged to verify bridge statuses prior to getting underway and conduct appropriate voyage planning. Officials also remind mariners of their ongoing responsibility to conduct and manage their required navigation assessments and voyage plans to prepare bridge teams for encountering known hazards.
A spokeswoman with the Louisiana DOTD told KQKI News Wednesday morning that the estimated completion for the project is currently November 2025.
For further information on the closure or to report any concerns regarding the status of the waterways, mariners may contact officials at the phone numbers below:
Marine Safety Unit Houma Officer of the Day: 985-665-2437
Marine Safety Unit Morgan City Officer of the Day: 985-397-3300
Marine Safety Unit Morgan City Waterways Management: 985-855-0724
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Berwick Bay: 985-380-5370