BATON ROUGE – Drivers going through the US 190 construction zone east of Erwinville will not be able to make left turns in some areas effective Monday, July 25, the Department of Transportation and Development announced.

The $25.2 million reconstruction project runs nearly 7 miles, from LA 1 to LA 983, also known as Bueche Road, according to project engineer Keith Palermo of DOTD’s District 61.

Affected roads will include Jack Torres Road, Section Road, Airline Park Drive, Maxine Street, Higdon Lane, Rougon Road and Grand Bayou Road. All private driveways on the north and south side of US 190 also will be affected.

The restrictions could last up to May 2006, when the project is scheduled for completion, but the restrictions could end sooner, Palermo said.

“As soon as we can safely give motorists access, we will,” he said. “Right now, those left turns just wouldn’t be safe.”

To help drivers, DOTD has placed three dynamic message board signs in the area to tell drivers where left-hand turns are not allowed.

The project will widen the road, substitute a 44-foot wide grass median for the old metal guardrails separating the eastbound and westbound lanes and add left turn lanes.

Because of a steep grade separation between the old and new construction, left turns and U-turns will only be permitted at the following locations:

• The eastbound left turn lane at LA 1.
• The westbound left turn lane at Big River Industries.
• The five-lane section of US 190 in Erwinville.
• The LA 413 intersection, which has a traffic signal.
• The eastbound left turn lane at LA 983, also known as Bueche Road.

Here are some options:

If you’re eastbound on US 190 east of Erwinville and you want to access a driveway or roadway on the north side of the highway, make a U-turn or left turn at Bueche Road.

If you’re eastbound on US 190 west of Erwinville and you want to access a driveway or roadway on the north side of the highway, go to the five-lane section in Erwinville or make a U-turn or left turn at LA 413.

If you’re westbound on U.S. 190 east of Erwinville and you want to access a driveway or roadway on the south side of the highway, go to the five-lane section in Erwinville or make a U-turn or left turn at La. 413.

If you’re westbound on US 190 west of Erwinville and you want to access a driveway or roadway on the south side of the highway, go to the left turn lane at Big River Industries. West of Big River Industries, through the remainder of the construction zone, no left turns or U-turns will be permitted. You will have to travel west of the construction zone, approximately 1 mile, to find an opening in the guardrail where a U-turn can be made. Please use caution when making this U-turn, because a left turn lane does not exist.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause residents and travelers in the area,” said Palermo, “but safety must be our primary concern.”