The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development released an update Thursday on the timeline to reopen north-bound I-55 and complete repairs on the south-bound side.
A series of multi-car pileups in heavy fog last week led to vehicle fires that damaged the elevated highway.
Inspections on the north-bound side show extensive spalling -- chipping and splintering -- has weakened the road deck. DoTD says they will have to remove the top portion of it and replace it with a new concrete overlay.
Contractors will begin next week, and assuming more damage is not discovered, repairs could take up to two weeks to complete.
On the south-bound side, workers have already begun permanent repairs. At this time, the right lane is closed in the area for repairs. Once that is done, the closure will shift to the left lane for further repairs.
The southbound work could also take up to two weeks to finish.
U.S. 51 remains the alternate for north-bound traffic between I-10 and Ponchatoula.
