Belle Chasse Tunnel to close for the weekend Friday evening - NOLA.com

The Belle Chasse Tunnel will close Friday evening for the weekend, as crews test equipment that is part of the storm risk reduction project and to wrap up rehabilitation work. The tunnel will close Friday at 7 p.m. and reopen Monday at 5 a.m.

Two-way traffic will be allowed on the adjacent Belle Chasse Bridge, during the closure. Motorists may also use Woodland Highway and Behrman Highway to Gen. DeGaulle Highway to Woodland as alternate routes.

Workers will bring in pumps to remove water from the tunnel and adjust the overhead roller gates before testing, according to Ted Carr, project manager.

"The gates will be tested on Saturday in conjunction with the remaining tunnel work," he said in a press release.

The Corps of Engineers, state Department of Transportation and Development and Plaquemines Parish government are conducting the work.

The transportation department will post signs alerting drivers to the detours.

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