Evaluation, Rehabilitation Planning, and Stay-Cable Replacement Design for the Hale Boggs Bridge in Luling, Louisiana

The Hale Boggs Bridge opened to traffic on October 5, 1983. At the time, it was the first U.S. cable-stayed crossing over the Mississippi River. The PE (polyethylene) protective sheathing was damaged in many of the cables before and during installation, and after the opening of the bridge to traffic. Repairs were attempted to correct the defects in cable sheathing. Many of the repairs performed poorly and failed to protect the main tension element. The condition of 39 out of 72 cables indicated a critical need for repair and timely action was recommended. To address these damages, and to assure the structural integrity of the bridge structure, several strategies involving a range of repair and replacement options were evaluated using life cycle cost analysis. It was concluded that the strategy to replace all cables presents the best value among evaluated alternatives. The design of the complete 72 cable array replacement is the first occasion on which this process is attempted in North America. The final design of the replacement cables is heavily influenced by the geometric restrictions of the existing anchorage locations. The replacement cables are being designed for a 75-year design life and incorporated with the latest advancements in corrosion protection and vibration control. Maintenance of traffic design is an essential part of the project. The bridge is a critical regional link and constitutes a hurricane evacuation route. Traffic maintenance during cable replacement was designed to be as unobtrusive to the public and commerce as practical. This paper describes efforts associated with cable condition assessment, rehabilitation strategy, and design considerations and concepts, undertaken by the writers since 2002 to improve the condition of this major river crossing.