DOTD announces project to install traffic cameras, messages boards on US 71 (MacArthur Drive) in Alexandria
Friday, February 07, 2020 at 9:22:55 AM

DOTD announces project to install traffic cameras, messages boards on US 71 (MacArthur Drive) in Alexandria


Monitoring traffic flow and planning your commute will soon be a click away with the installation of several new traffic cameras and digital message boards along US 71 (MacArthur Drive) in Alexandria, Rapides Parish.

Work is currently underway on the $1.9 million project, which stretches from LA 1 to Masonic Circle on MacArthur Drive. The contractor is working on installing the underground communications system. The CCTV and DMS concrete foundations will then be poured, followed by the traffic camera poles and associated components.

The project involves adding six live-stream cameras and two Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) at the following locations on MacArthur Drive:
  • MacArthur Drive @ LA 1 (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive @ LA 28 (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive @ LA 1208 (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive @ Masonic Circle (NW Approach) – (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive @ Masonic Circle (SW Approach) – (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive @ Masonic Circle (SE Approach) – (camera)
  • MacArthur Drive between Donna Ln. and Louise St. (DMS)
  • MacArthur Drive south of Gene Ball Road (DMS)
The entire project is expected to be complete and the cameras available for public use in late 2020, with progress dependent on weather conditions.

The traffic cameras, which are already available at other locations in the Alexandra area such as along I-49, are monitored in real time by operators in the Traffic Management Center (TMC). This allows the TMC to post traffic and emergency messages on the DMS, tweet incidents on the regional DOTD Traffic Twitter accounts, and update www.511la.org with the latest road conditions.

511LA mobile app users are able to create a profile and receive customized alerts for traffic conditions on their routes, as well as access the live-stream cameras.

MacArthur Drive in the vicinity of LA 28 services approximately 40,000 vehicles per day.

Contact information:

Erin Buchanan
Public Information Officer
Alexandria District
(318) 549-8402
Erin.buchanan@la.gov