Link-Belt cranes work major LA bridge replacement project

Editor’s note: This article contains reporting published on the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) website. All photography courtesy of Primoris Heavy Civil (formerly the James Construction Group).

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Link-Belt cranes, including a 298 HSL lattice crawler, a 248 HSL lattice crawler, and a TCC-1200 telescopic crawler, assisted a $360 million bridge replacement project near Shreveport, Louisiana.

The DOTD announced a temporary trestle replacement bridge neared completion earlier this year, which seeks to allow for construction of the new Jimmie Davis Bridge. The design-build contractor, Primoris Heavy Civil of Spring, Texas, is working on drilled shafts, concrete pile delivery, drainage upgrades, and a significant amount of earthwork on both sides of the river as part of the new bridge build.

The widening and realignment of LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Highway) on either side of the existing bridge is also ongoing. This is necessary to allow the roadway to properly line up with the new four-lane bridge, located immediately north of the old bridge.

The overall purpose of the project is to double the vehicle capacity of the river crossing and support economic development through the efficient movement of people and goods. The new bridge is anticipated to open to traffic by early 2027.