DOTD recognized nationally for I-20/Tarbutton Road interchange project
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:01:04 AM
Baton Rouge, LA – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that the department was recognized nationally for the I-20/Tarbutton Road project. The $25.5 million project was featured with nine other projects across the country in The Benefits of Transportation, a publication by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The publication is part of an outreach campaign started by AASHTO in 2020 which increases public awareness about the benefits of transportation investment, and highlights projects that reduce travel times, increase safety, protect the environment, and boost the economy.
“Being recognized nationally for one of our highway projects shows our dedication to improving infrastructure for our citizens and visitors,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. ”The I-20/Tarbutton project was a major investment for our state very early in this administration and is already showing massive returns in the form of improved safety, reduced congestion, and economic development. It also demonstrates how beneficial it is to have cooperation with the mayors and local government leaders. I am very proud of our collaboration with the city of Ruston and the city of Grambling that resulted in this new interchange to motorists.”
The new interchange is uniquely located to serve Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, and Ruston Junior High School. The previous interchange and entryways to the campuses were over capacity, and the new interchange has greatly reduced the congestion going to and from the campuses and improved their accessibility.
The project, which began in September 2017 and was opened to traffic in June 2020, created a new interstate interchange, as well as a new Tarbutton Road overpass, a reconstructed Tarbutton Road on each side of I-20, and improved traffic flow on adjacent service roads.