An international bridge engineering and supply company by the name of Acrow has recently supplied a modular steel bridge to temporarily replace a bridge that was destroyed during Hurricane Ida in Louisiana.

When the hurricane hit the country on August 29th, the Category 4 storm caused widespread damage to infrastructure across the northern Gulf Coast and beyond, including a vital bridge that provided passage between the communities of Lafitte and Barataria in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. 

As stated in Acrow’s press releases, the 400 residents of Barataria became isolated as their only vehicular bridge to the mainland was destroyed. In response, the Louisiana National Guard installed a temporary floating bridge to enable access for first responders and residents, however, it could only support a single lane of traffic. A larger, longer-term temporary bridge was needed to meet the needs of the community’s residents. 

Ultimately, Acrow was selected based on the firm’s experience in restoring damaged infrastructure in emergency conditions. Their solution was a modular steel bridge that consists of two 100-foot-long spans, each with a roadway width of 24 feet. The original bridge was a moveable swing bridge that provided a clear waterway for the passage of ships. Acrow had to quickly fabricate special curve filler decks to allow their temporary bridge to make the same motion. 

Acrow’s components were delivered to the site over a two-week period beginning September 20th, and the bridge was opened to traffic on October 7th. It will be in place until a new permanent swing bridge is constructed.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to assist in this project to restore a key transportation lifeline in the wake of Hurricane Ida,” said Acrow CEO Bill Killeen. “Drawing on decades of service in recovery from disaster, our Rapid Response Team understands the challenge of restoring infrastructure quickly and can provide immediate response in the most difficult conditions.”