Approximately 350 cu. yds. (268 cu m) of concrete will be re-poured on a large Interstate 10 project in Metairie because the concrete does not meet state standards.

Boh Bros. Construction Co., the contractor on the project on I-10 between the 17th Street Canal and Causeway Boulevard, began removing the concrete from new bridge decking Dec. 26.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) discovered that the concrete was sub-standard when it tested samples for strength and durability. Although all of the remaining concrete on the job meets or exceeds standards, nine of the 98 bridge decks poured thus far contained the sub-standard mix. Boh Bros. immediately accepted the results and agreed to remove and replace the concrete.

“The fact that our lab noted the discrepancy in the concrete strength shows that our quality control system works,” DOTD Chief Engineer Bill Temple said. The concrete did not pose a safety concern, but it did not meet the state’s requirements for durability.

The additional work should take several weeks, but the contractor has agreed to expedite the work to stay on schedule. Cost for the extra work is the responsibility of the contractor and will not be paid by taxpayers. The concrete removal work will be confined to the construction site and should have no impact on traffic.

The $68.8 million project began in February 2006 and is expected to take three years to complete. When it is completed, I-10 will have one or two extra lanes at various points along the corridor.

Boh Bros. can earn up to $1.8 million in incentives for finishing the job early and can be assessed $15,000 for each day the job is late. DOTD officials said the job is ahead of schedule now, and the contractor has indicated it still intended to finish the project on or ahead of schedule.