The two-lane stretch of Louisiana Highway 1 that cuts through the marshes of south Lafourche Parish is the only road to Port Fourchon, the oil and gas hub that serves 90 percent of deepwater petroleum operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
When the highway is closed because of high water, as it was for three days during Hurricane Isaac, the industry takes an economic hit.
But, as The Advocate reports, each new storm brings with it the fear that the highway may wash away.
Isaac's storm surge pushed into the marshes covered portions of the highway with 3 feet of water. The road was closed for 78 hours, says Port of Fourchon Director Chett Chiasson.
Some sections of the roadway's shoulder washed away.