DOTD holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for completion of I-10 widening from Henderson to Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in St. Martin Parish
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 2:36:56 PM
Henderson, La. – Today, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson participated in a ceremony to mark the completion of construction on the I-10 widening from Henderson to the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in St. Martin Parish. The Secretary was joined by state and local officials.
Governor Edwards said, “Since I have been in office, over $321 million has been invested in transportation projects throughout St. Martin Parish. The completion of this project will improve the east-west connection along I-10 across the state, as well as enhance access to I-10 for residents and businesses in the area.”
The project involved pavement replacement within the existing lanes in each direction for 2.7 miles along I-10 from La. 347 to the base of the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. An additional lane was added in the westbound direction. The project also added roundabouts at the Henderson interchange.
The project was awarded to Gilchrist Construction Co. LLC of Alexandria for $54.7 million. Approximately $10 M in FASTLANE funding was allocated to fund this project. Construction began in May 2017 and was completed in December 2020.
DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson said, “As a department, we have worked hard over the last few years to improve the I-10 corridor. Standing here today to celebrate the completion of one piece of the puzzle to improving I-10 is rewarding. The widening of Interstate 10 in this area will help to reduce traffic congestion for over 60,000 motorists in the growing area of St. Martin Parish, and is yet another example of our commitment to investing in our state’s infrastructure.”
Recognizing the importance of I-10 as critical corridor in Louisiana and investing in projects to improve I-10 has been a priority for Governor Edwards. Since he took office in 2016, approximately $945 million has been dedicated to projects on I-10 throughout Louisiana with approximately $288 million in St. Martin Parish.
With the help of the FASTLANE grant awarded in 2016 by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to the state of Louisiana to partially fund this I-10 widening project, the improvements to I-10, such as the completed widening of I-10 between Henderson and the Atchafalaya Basin, along with two additional ongoing construction widening projects between Henderson and the I-10/I-49 Interchange, will enhance economic development opportunities for the parish and state, provide safer, more efficient travel for motorists, and create a better evacuation route in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
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