PORT ALLEN — The closure and replacement of the La. 76 bridge over Bayou Chalpin that was scheduled to begin next week has been postponed, state transportation officials said. 

According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the closure was originally set to be finished in the summer of 2027 before it was postponed from its original April 6 start date. Project leads said that a new start date has not been set for the project. 

Office of Louisiana Highway Construction Program Manager Brandon Bergeron said the reason the project was postponed is to ensure the work is done safely and to avoid pitfalls that may be brought on by other widening projects.

The project is part of the state's Bridge Bundling Program to accelerate the replacement and rehabilitation of multiple bridges across Louisiana.

When the bridge closure does start, the following detours will be put into place:

La. 76 Eastbound-
Motorists traveling eastbound on La. 76 will be detoured by turning left onto La. 411 (Sidney Road), continuing along La. 411, then turning right onto U.S. 190 eastbound. From U.S. 190, motorists will turn right onto La. 413 and continue south to reconnect with La. 76.

La. 76 Westbound-
Motorists traveling westbound on La. 76 will turn right onto La. 413 and proceed north to U.S. 190. Motorists will then turn left onto U.S. 190 westbound, continue to La. 411 (Sidney Road), turn left, and follow La. 411 back to La. 76.