Covington Mayor Forwards DOTD Update on Bridge and Roadwork

I reached out to DOTD for a status report on the Collins Blvd. Bridge as well as future work from Lee Road to the Folsom Highway. 

Hi Mayor Mark,

We are estimating the completion of the bridge project by the end of the year, although it’s very likely that more lanes will be opened on the new bridge for traffic before then. Currently, crews are working on drainage improvements through the project area, which will be followed by the full widening of Collins through Lee Rd. I’ve spoken with St. Tammany Parish and told them to expect the Trace to reopen near the end of the project, if not early 2026. Regardless of the exact timeline, we are definitely approaching the finish. 

A couple of notes that you can use to clarify any confusion on the project:

• When complete, the new bridge will have two full northbound traffic lanes and a third lane over the water that will merge back into the right lane near the bottom of the bridge. 

• The old US 190 bridge will house two southbound lanes. 

• At the Lee Rd./Collins intersection, traffic on Lee Rd. turning onto southbound Collins will be able to choose the left lane (left turn only) or the middle lane (left turn or straight onto W. 30th). There will also be a right-turn curve lane onto Collins northbound. This will be a tremendous improvement over what has previously been in place, with just the one lane being left turn or straight. It will stay this way until the roundabout is built. 

There are no definite dates for when the subsequent two phases will go into the construction phase. Currently, they are in the design phase, and I believe funding sources are still being assigned. I asked the project engineer for an update and will send that to you once I hear back.