In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Transportation (DOT) dispatched a team of 66 transportation experts to support state and local officials in the damage assessment of highways, railroads, airports, transit systems, ports, and pipelines.
DOT also is supporting detour planning and critical transportation system repairs.
There are a number of key highways and important road bridges that have sustained significant damage, including the I-10 bridges between New Orleans and Slidell LA.
I-10 is closed throughout much of Louisiana and all of Mississippi, while it is limited to one lane in each direction and around Mobile due to pump failure in one of the tunnels in Mobile.
Other major highways, such as US 90, 98, and 49 in the affected areas are closed.
I-59 is closed starting 20 miles south of Meridian to points further south.