Baton Rouge— The traffic lanes on I-10 westbound between Bluebonnet Boulevard and the I-10/I-12 split will shift to the newly constructed inside lane of the interstate for approximately one year. This shift is tentatively scheduled to be implemented Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17, weather permitting. The Picardy Avenue on-ramp to I-10 westbound will also be closed while the lane shift is in place.

In order for construction crews to safely shift the traffic lanes July 15-17, I-10 will have nightly lane closures in each direction between Siegen Lane and the I-10/I-12 split during the weekend. Additionally, the Bluebonnet Boulevard on-ramp to I-10 westbound will be closed from Thursday, July 14 at 8 p.m. to Monday, July 18 at 6 a.m.

To access the interstate while the lane shift is in place, motorists traveling west on Picardy Avenue should continue to Bluebonnet Boulevard and use the Bluebonnet on-ramp to I-10 westbound.

Traffic must be shifted to the median in order for construction crews to build the new westbound lanes in this area. Other than the usual nighttime temporary lane closures, two travel lanes in each direction will be maintained during this phase of construction.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution in construction zones and to obey all posted speed limits.

For the safety of the media, construction workers and the traveling public, any media member wanting to get video or photographs of construction activities must contact the Geaux Wider team. Anyone who does not have prior authorization will be escorted off the project site.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development appreciates your patience and encourages drivers to exercise caution and obey all warning signs through the construction area. Please be aware of all construction workers and equipment.

The Louisiana DOTD Geaux Wider program is a multi-year construction initiative designed to increase capacity, improve safety and enhance mobility on Interstates 10 and 12 in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes.
The following interstate segments will be widened to six lanes under the Geaux Wider program:

• Interstate 10, from the I-10/12 split to Siegen Lane.
• Interstate 10, from the Siegen Lane interchange to Highland Road.
• Interstate 12, from the O’Neal Lane interchange to Pete’s Highway.  
• Interstate 12 eastbound, from Pete’s Highway to Juban Road.

Construction is underway now with the completion date for the entire program estimated for 2013. For more information, contact Louisiana DOTD Customer Service at 1-877-4LADOTD (3683) or visit www.geauxwider.com.