Traffic shift on I-10 widening project in St. Martin Parish represents progress
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 1:45:31 PM
Henderson, LA – Today the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that the I-10 widening project between LA 347/Henderson and the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has reached a major milestone. On December 12, the westbound traffic lanes were shifted from their original configuration to the newly completed lanes.
“This lane shift represents the progress we’re making on the I-10 corridor rehabilitation and expansion project in St. Martin Parish,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “Now that the new westbound lanes are constructed, crews will be able to remove and replace the old lanes in preparation for their final configuration. Once complete, this project, together with its neighboring projects to widen the interstate to the I-49 interchange in Lafayette, will greatly benefit our commuters, visitors, and those hauling large amounts of freight on I-10.”
When this project is finished, I-10 westbound will have three traffic lanes from LA 347/Henderson to the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Two other projects on I-10 will tie into this project with I-10 ultimately having three westbound lanes between I-49 and the basin bridge, and three eastbound lanes from LA 347/Henderson to I-49.
The westbound lanes will remain shifted for approximately eight months in order for crews to replace the existing lanes. Once complete, traffic will be shifted to the outside lanes once again while crews temporarily move eastbound traffic to the new westbound lanes.
The $55 million project is anticipated to be complete in late 2019 or early 2020. It is partially funded by a $60 million FASTLANE grant received from the United States Department of Transportation in July 2016. Funds from the grant are also being used for the two projects to widen I-10 between Henderson and I-49.
Since construction began, there have been several major accidents and other traffic disruptions in the work zone. The traffic shift will provide relief from mishaps, provided that drivers do their part. Never drive distracted, and always be cautious, obey traffic signs, and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment in the construction zone.
Call 511 or visit 511la.org for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-800-ROAD-511 (1-800-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at http://www.dotd.la.gov/, by selecting MYDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.