UPDATE: REOPENED : I-49 Southbound at Sugarhouse Road overpass; Rapides Parish
Sunday, March 06, 2022 at 6:35:14 PM
3/6/2022
**UPDATE: I-49 Southbound at La 3250 (Sugarhouse Road) is reopened to traffic.**
3/4/2022
ALEXANDRIA, La. - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that beginning Friday, March 4, at 10 p.m., until Monday, March 7, at 4 a.m., the following closures will be in place to allow crews to repair the damaged portions of the Sugarhouse Road overpass:
- I-49 southbound at LA 3250 (Sugarhouse Road)
- US 71 northbound will be closed from I-49 Interchange to Sugarhouse Road
- I-49 northbound off-ramp to US 71 northbound
Additionally, the following changes to traffic will be in place:
- I-49 southbound traffic will be detoured to Sugarhouse Road, then on MacArthur Drive southbound, then to the I-49 southbound on-ramp and back onto I-49 southbound
- US 71 northbound traffic will be detoured onto I-49 northbound using the on-ramp
- US 71 southbound (MacArthur Drive) traffic will be reduced to one lane and will be required to stop to allow the I-49 southbound traffic through the intersection at Sugarhouse Road
Detour Section
I-49 Southbound
I-49 southbound traffic will be detoured onto Exit 81 (Sugarhouse Road). Traffic will then turn right onto Sugarhouse Road. Traffic will then turn left onto US 71 southbound (MacArthur Drive). Traffic will then take Exit 63 (I-49 south – Opelousas) to return to I-49 southbound.
I-49 Northbound to US 71 Northbound (MacArthur Drive)
The I-49 northbound off-ramp (Exit 80) to US 71 North (MacArthur Drive) will be closed. Traffic will continue on I-49 northbound. Traffic will then take Exit 86 (MacArthur Drive). After exiting I-49, traffic may continue north or south onto US 71.
US 71 Northbound
US 71 northbound from the I-49 Interchange to the Sugarhouse Road intersection will be closed. Traffic will be detoured onto I-49 northbound on-ramp at US 71 (Exit 63 - Opelousas/Alexandria). Traffic will stay right to merge onto I-49 northbound. Traffic will then take Exit 86 (MacArthur Drive). After exiting I-49, traffic may continue north or south onto US 71.
US 71 Southbound
US 71 southbound (MacArthur Drive), from south of the intersection with Lee Street, will be reduced to one lane of traffic. The inside travel lane and left turn lane at the Sugarhouse Road intersection will be closed. A lane width restriction of 12 feet will be in place from Lee Street to Sugarhouse Road. Traffic traveling south on US 71 at the intersection of Sugarhouse Road should use extreme patience and caution as a STOP condition will be in place to allow the detoured traffic from I-49 southbound to enter US 71 southbound from Sugarhouse Road.
*** To avoid traffic delays the public is encouraged to seek alternate routes if at all possible. ***
Safety Reminder
All construction activity is weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. DOTD appreciates the motoring public’s patience and reminds drivers to please exercise caution when traveling through work zone areas and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Additional Information
Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at www.511la.org. Additionally, you can follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Alex Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov and the DOTD Facebook page.
Project Contact
Mr. Steve Buskie, P.E.
Rapides Parish Project Engineer
Office: (318) 487-5719
Email: steve.buskie@la.gov
Media Contact
Ms. Deidra Druilhet
Public Information Officer
District 08: Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn Parishes
Phone: (337) 262-6133
Deidra.Druilhet@la.gov