Abbeville: Downtown bridge closing Monday morning

For those who travel across the downtown bridge in Abbeville, it will be closing, starting Monday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has two digital signs on each side of the bridge informing drivers about the closer.
Expect the bridge to be closed to traffic for at least six to seven weeks, Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said.
The Mayor said DOTD will be changing the fenders (wooden pilings) under the bridge.
The fenders are placed under the bridge to protect the bridge from trash or other boats from hitting the bridge.
By Monday, a barge will be next to the bridge, and the bridge will be raised. The barge will remove the old wooden timbers and replace them with new ones.
Earlier this year, Mayor Mark Piazza attended a meeting in Lafayette with the Department of Transportation and Development to discuss flooding in the Vermilion River.
At the meeting, mayor Piazza asked DOTD to change the pilings under the downtown bridge because they helped block debris that flowed under the bridge.
DOTD is honoring his request and starting the project on Monday. According to Mayor Piazza, DOTD is expected to work seven days a week, which means the bridge will be unpassable all seven days of the week.
He informed Abbeville Police Chief William Spearman and Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire about the closure.
The fire department has a fire truck stationed on the west side of the river.
Traffic will be rerouted to the Bypass Bridge so expect heavy traffic throughout the day.