SHREVEPORT, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today the completion of the La. 1 widening project in Caddo Parish. 

The project involved widening La. 1 from two to four lanes with a median between La. 173 (Dixie Blanchard Road) and La. 169 (Dixie-Mooringsport Road). Widening the corridor will increase safety and ease congestion. 

The project also realigned the roadway at the intersection of La. 1/La. 169, which will allow motorists to gain an increase in visibility, both in braking distance and overall intersection-site distance.  Construction on the 5.2-mile project began in May of 2011 and was awarded to Specialty Trackhoe & Dozer Service Inc. for $23.4 million. 

“This project is another example of DOTD’s commitment to safety and will greatly improve the commute of more than 18,000 drivers that use this route each day,” said DOTD Secretary LeBas.

“Area legislators and I have been working together for a long time to improve the roads throughout the rural area,” said Senator Gregory Tarver.  “Safety-driven projects such as this one represent the state’s commitment to improving infrastructure throughout Louisiana.”

Representative Jim Morris said, “This project is important to our local community and will greatly improve the quality of life for residents by making driving in this area safer and more efficient.  I would like to thank Governor Jindal and Secretary LeBas for their continued commitment to improve the roads in Northwest Louisiana.”

In 2010, DOTD received $23 million in redistributed federal funding due to DOTD’s success in obligating the full amount of its federal funding for the federal fiscal year of October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.  Funds were allocated to the La. 1 widening project because it was shovel-ready. 

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 930 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511)

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www.dotd.la.gov