U.S. Department of Transportation announces major road contracts for New Orleans

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced continued progress in rebuilding the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast’s transportation systems, including progress on new road repair contracts and rail service into New Orleans.

“We are working to make sure that people in Mississippi and Louisiana begin to see real progress in rebuilding roads and restarting railroads,” said Secretary Mineta. “Finding a way to get people and goods moving again throughout the Gulf Coast is the best way to get residents back on their feet and back on their way to rebuilding.”

Hurricane Katrina destroyed U.S. 90 in Mississippi. Three Mississippi firms—Mallette Brothers Construction, Warren Paving and Huey Stockstill, Inc.—were recently selected to build a temporary road to handle U.S. 90’s two-way traffic – one lane in each direction. Phase I of the two-phase project began Friday, Sept. 9, and is to be completed within 90 days.

The department also expects a contract will soon be awarded to begin work on the I-10 bridge in Louisiana that connects New Orleans with Slidell. The two-phase contract will call for one-lane, two-way traffic within 45 days, and two-lane, two-way traffic within 120 days. Once completed, this will restore road access via I-10 into New Orleans from the east.