BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced the beginning of a project to resurface 12.7 miles of I-12 from U.S. 51 in Hammond to the St. Tammany Parish line.

The $10.5 million project will help to restore the ride quality for the 59,000 drivers using this section of I-12 each day. Work will begin by late March/early April and is expected to be complete in fall 2012.

This project is part of a $257 million investment the state has made in improving the I-12 corridor over the last four years.

DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas said, "Improvements to vital interstate corridors such as I-12 not only provide safer, more efficient travel for motorists within the local communities, but also help to further economic opportunities for the state and create a better climate in which to move goods and services."

I-12 is a major east-west freight artery across Louisiana, allowing industries to move their products across the state fluidly, while providing support to our ports/waterways, railroads and airports.

It connects I-10 in Baton Rouge to I-10 in Slidell, reducing unnecessary highway congestion through New Orleans, and provides access to growing north shore communities. I-12 serves as a critical corridor to major businesses and industries such as Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., the Elmer Candy Corporation, Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Walmart and its distribution centers.

Since taking office in 2008, the Jindal Administration has made transportation projects a top priority by investing $4.1 billion in Louisiana’s infrastructure. Approximately $134 million has been invested in Tangipahoa Parish.

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 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, the department is 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 Custom 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).