Baton Rouge, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced work to widen Interstates 10 and 12 in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes is resuming.  DOTD had previously suspended construction activities on interstate highways with the approach of Hurricane Isaac.  The temporary suspension helped facilitate evacuation efforts and the work of emergency services personnel. Following landfall of Isaac, the suspension remained in place to aid Louisiana’s post-storm recovery activities.

With schedules and activities beginning to return to normal around the state this week, DOTD has instructed construction contractors to resume work. 

For the Geaux Wider program, the resumption begins with overnight closures of the following I-10 on-ramps Wednesday, September 5 and Thursday, September 6, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., each evening.  

• The I-10 westbound on-ramp from Essen Lane will be closed to repair traffic safety systems. Drivers should continue north on Essen Lane to I-12 westbound and then connect to I-10 westbound. 

• The I-10 eastbound on-ramp from Siegen Lane will be closed for paving work. Drivers should travel the I-10 westbound frontage road to Mall of Louisiana Boulevard, and then turn onto the I-10 eastbound frontage road to access I-10 eastbound. 

With work on area interstate highways resuming, drivers are encouraged to monitor daily updates on I-10 and 12 by visiting www.GeauxWider.com.  Information is also available on Twitter, @GeauxWider, and on Facebook. 

Media personnel needing access to the interstate work zones for photos or video must

first contact the Geaux Wider team at (225) 906-1448. For safety reasons, no

unscheduled or unaccompanied visits are permitted.

The 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.

Work continues to widen the following interstate segments with completion currently scheduled for mid-2013.

·         Interstate 10, from the I-10/12 split to Siegen Lane.

·         Interstate 10, from the Siegen Lane interchange to Highland Road.

·         Interstate 12, from Juban Road to the Walker/LA 447 interchange.

Widening was completed earlier this year on I-12 between O’Neal Lane and Juban Road.

For more information, contact Louisiana DOTD Customer Service at 1-877-4LADOTD

(3683) or visit www.GeauxWider.com.

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

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.

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