Construction crews will begin driving test piles for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (DOTD) Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening project, near the Transcontinental Drive overpass on Thursday, November 10, during daylight hours.  The work is expected to continue on an intermittent basis over the next six weeks.

The test pile driving is part of a $42.4 million I-10 improvement project, which will widen the roadway from six to ten travel lanes, between Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Clearview Parkway. No lane closures or other traffic impacts are anticipated at this time.

This section of I-10 is the principal western approach to the New Orleans metropolitan area and is used by approximately 200,000 vehicles, daily.  It is the major access point for container, break-bulk and bulk trucking to/from the Port of New Orleans.

Widening I-10 will improve access to facilities that include the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Zephyr Field, principal rail facilities for CN Railroad, Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroads, the Avondale Shipyard, Clearview Mall and East Jefferson General Hospital.

Major employers, such as Ochsner Medical Center, LSU Medical Center, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (Avondale) and Tulane-Lakeside Hospital, will benefit from  improved access and reduced congestion during morning and afternoon rush hours.

The project is expected to be completed by mid 2013. Project information is available at www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/i10veteranstoclearview/  

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)