Rigolets Pass Bridge Geotechnical Investigation The team overcame technical and logistical challenges to complete geotechnical testing for this major design-build project. Expertise Geotechnical Engineering Site Investigation Practices Transportation Roads, Freeways and Bridges Location New Orleans, Louisiana The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) contracted with GeoEngineers’ Baton Rouge office to complete a geotechnical investigation, including borings and laboratory testing, for the new Rigolets Pass Bridge and approaches on US 90 outside New Orleans, Louisiana. The $50 million high-rise bridge is a little more than one mile long and has no overhead trusses. The bridge reaches 72 feet at its highest point and allows marine vessels to travel underneath it, unlike the bridge it replaced. GeoEngineers completed its part of the project in less time than had originally been scheduled, thanks to extra effort and hours put in by the project team, who were housed on the testing barge for the duration of the project. The bridge, which connects eastern New Orleans with southeastern St. Tammany Parish, runs over a very crowded utility corridor that provides major communication and fiber optic cables to New Orleans. This presented a challenge to the GeoEngineers team as they conducted their borings, because the more commonly used floating barge (secured by a series of anchors dropped from the waterline) posed too much risk for damage to the utility cables. GeoEngineers instead used an elevated barge with four static legs, placed carefully around the cables, and deck that raised or lowered as weather permitted. The bridge opened to motorists in January 2008. Approach READ MORE Related Staff Related Projects All Practice Areas Development Energy and Industry Marine and Coastal Mining Natural Resources Transportation Trenchless Pipeline Planning, Design & Installation All Expertise Earth Sciences Engineering Technical Support All Regions International Central East South West SUBMIT CLEAR LOAD MORE (104) We want you on our team. SEE CURRENT JOB POSTINGS LEGAL/PRIVACY POLICY TEAM WITH US STAFF LOGIN COMPANY CAREERS CURIOUS? CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS EXPERTISE Copyright © 2021 GeoEngineers. All Rights Reserved. - Site by CMA