BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that a $25.7 million contract has been awarded to James Construction Group LLC of Baton Rouge to construct a 3.4-mile segment of I-49 North from La. 530 (Caddo Street) to La. 170 (Gilliam-Vivian Road).

This project is "Segment F" of the I-49 North project, which will construct a four-lane interstate with a 4-foot inside shoulder and a 10-foot outside shoulder from I-220 in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line. "Segment F" is the final segment of the project that is fully funded at this time.

"Awarding this contract is another example of DOTD’s dedication to finishing the I-49 North corridor," said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. "We will continue to work with local and state officials on finding innovative ways to fund the remaining two sections of this important roadway."

Last month, Governor Jindal announced that he is pursuing legislation in the upcoming session to bond out $7.5 million in order to invest the estimated $60 million needed to construct one of the two remaining segments for I-49 North. This funding will be put towards the construction of the 4.25-mile "J Segment" – from Martin Luther King Boulevard to La. 1. This will leave only one mile of the corridor left to complete.

To date, DOTD has bid a total of nine contracts for construction of I-49 North projects – valued at a total of $460 million. A total of 31 of 36.25 miles of I-49 North are now fully funded and under construction or are in the process of beginning construction.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).