BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reminds motorists that permanent lane adjustments to the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge went into effect on Sunday, August 8, at 8 a.m. 

               The lane adjustments have been implemented as part of the ongoing I-10 Mississippi Bridge signing and striping project, and will help to improve traffic flow on the bridge. The intention of the new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge is to improve traffic flow on the bridge and relieve congestion on I-10 West and I-110 South in Baton Rouge. The signing and striping changes are necessary to balance traffic volumes, which will result in a better distribution of traffic. Having one dedicated exit lane for vehicles traveling towards Port Allen and Plaquemine will free up the middle lane of the bridge for through traffic, making travel over the bridge safer and more efficient for motorists.

               All I-10 westbound traffic crossing the Mississippi River Bridge exiting to Port Allen and Plaquemine must now use the outer lane prior to exiting. Traffic in the westbound center lane is no longer able to exit, as this lane serves only westbound through traffic. This will leave the center and far-left lane free for the 63 percent of through traffic traveling across the bridge towards Lafayette to maintain optimum traveling speed.  The far-right outer lane will serve the remaining 25 percent exiting for Plaquemine and 12 percent exiting for Port Allen, and allow this traffic to slow for their appropriate exits without impeding the overall traffic flow.

               As part of the project, the deck of the bridge is being resealed with an epoxy overlay to improve surface friction for motorists. In the next six to eight weeks, once the deck resealing is complete, DOTD crews will paint additional shield markings on the existing striping. These additional markings will help motorists to more clearly identify the through lane (I-10 westbound) and the La. 1 exit lane.

               DOTD appreciates your patience as we test this new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

               Additionally, following is a schedule of lane closures for the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. These closures are necessary for bridge rehabilitation, signing and related work.

·        The nightly closure of the right lane of I-10 eastbound began Sunday, August 8, at 8 p.m., and will last for the next several weeks.  The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday.

·        The nightly closure of the right and center lanes of I-10 westbound began Sunday, August 8, and will continue throughout the weekend and into next week. The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The I-10 westbound La. 1 off-ramps to Port Allen and Plaquemine are also closed during these times.  Traffic is detoured to La. 415. 

·        Once the work on the center and right lanes is complete, the nightly closure of the left lane of I-10 westbound will begin. This closure will last approximately two weeks. The closure will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday. The boundaries of this closure will be from Washington Street, across the bridge to La. 1.

·        The nightly closure of the I-110 southbound to I-10 westbound ramp began Sunday, August 8. This closure will last until late August. This closure will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

·        The downtown I-10 westbound on-ramps and the North Boulevard on-ramp for I-110 south will remain closed during all above-mentioned lane closures.

               During these closures, emergency vehicles are allowed to pass. No loads over 10 feet wide are allowed.  Alternate routes, if needed, are as follows. Eastbound: I-10 La. 1 North to U.S. 190 East to I-110 South to I-10. Westbound: I-10 to I-110 North to US 190 West to La. 1 South to I-10.

               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).