LEESVILLE, La.  – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that the newly constructed eastbound lanes of La. 8/28 near Leesville will be opened to traffic Tuesday, June 27, weather permitting. This will mark the beginning of the final phase of construction on La. 8/28 between U.S. 171 and La. 8 North. With the opening of the new eastbound lanes of La. 8/28, both sides of the four-lane highway between U.S. 171 in Leesville and La. 121 (approximately 13 miles) will be open to traffic.

Commuters traveling La. 8/28 near Leesville are advised that the traffic pattern will be changed. Currently, both eastbound and westbound traffic travels in a two-way traffic pattern on the westbound side of the four-lane highway. Once the eastbound lanes are open, the two westbound lanes will be open for one-way traffic only. Please use extreme caution while traveling through this area; once all four lanes of the highway are open to traffic, it will take time for the traveling public to become familiar with the new configuration.

Motorists can expect minor delays on both ends of the project Tuesday, June 27, just before traffic is redirected onto the four-lane highway. During this time, the road will be closed for a maximum of thirty minutes while the contractor installs striping and other traffic control devices.

After the four-lane highway is open, construction crews will continue to work in the area; therefore, the public should be aware of the construction work and heed the warning and speed limit signs. 

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