DOTD announces completion of New Orleans Airport Connector Road
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 9:23:25 AM
Jefferson Parish- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that beginning on May 15, both northbound and southbound lanes will be open on Loyola Drive between Veterans Boulevard and Interstate 10. This new four-lane divided highway serves as the connector road to the entrance for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s new North Terminal that is slated to be open later this year.
This $6.8 million project, which began January 2018, was needed to accommodate the capacity increase as a result of the airport expansion. The design will be integrated into the future flyover ramp from I-10 at Loyola Drive.
“This new connector road is a short-term improvement to help alleviate traffic that the New Orleans airport will experience once the new 35 gate terminal opens. I am very proud of the team of employees at DOTD, and our private sector partners, for completing this critical improvement by the date we promised. We are working diligently to begin construction on the Loyola Interchange project, which will increase operational efficiency and traffic capacity. Currently, the Department is reviewing three design-build proposals and is on schedule to have a contract execution by late August,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.
The connector road includes a double left turn from Veterans Blvd. onto Aberdeen St. that provides direct access to the airport. Once the terminal opens, the westbound inside left turn lane will be open to thru traffic.
