DOTD Celebrates the Completion of $10.2 Million La. 3276 Project
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 4:01:00 PM
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dustin Annison
Dec. 19, 2012 225-379-1702
DOTD Celebrates the Completion of $10.2 Million La. 3276 Project
STONEWALL, La. - Today, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Sherri H. LeBas led a ceremony marking the completion of the La. 3276 improvement project that reconstructed and cleared vegetation to improve sight distance on a four mile segment of La. 3276 from U.S. 171 to I-49 in DeSoto Parish. The ceremony was held at the Salem Baptist Church in Stonewall where LeBas was joined by state and local officials highlighting the $10.2 million improvement project.
DOTD Secretary LeBas said, “We are thankful for Governor Jindal and the legislature’s commitment to safety improvements along La. 3276. For our economy to grow and for our communities to be safe, we must continue to make investments in our roads – and this $10.2 million investment is going to make this region safer for these communities while providing residents and businesses a smoother ride for the more than 8,000 drivers using this road each day.”
A half-mile segment of the project near U.S. 171 was widened to include a center-turn lane and the rest of the segment was brought up to current design standards by constructing 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders as opposed to the existing 10-foot travel lanes and narrow shoulders. The improvements will also provide a better route and a safer commute for folks traveling to I-49. The upgrades began in November of 2011.
The city of Shreveport is expanding southward along U.S. 171 with major manufacturing, warehousing, and retail facilities. La. 3276 is a principal connector to I-49 for freight transportation bound for south Louisiana and other southeast states. It also provides easy access to the east-west I-20 corridor as well as to the north via the new I-49 North currently under construction.
La. 3276 connects residents, military personnel and businesses to several airports in the region including Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport Downtown Airport, Desoto Parish Airport and Barksdale Air Force Base. It also serves the Port of Shreveport-Bossier and the Red River Parish Port, as well as connecting key rail corridors.
“Improving La. 3276 will drive growth, make it safer for our citizens and promote additional economic development,” said Senator Sherri Smith Buffington.
“The improvements to La. 3276 mean enhanced travel through Stonewall, as well as improved access to I-49 North,” said Representative Richard T. Burford, District 7. “Governor Jindal’s efforts to further infrastructure projects in this region continue to make this community more desirable to new businesses and residents.”
“This stretch of La. 3276 is an important artery for the community of Stonewall,” said Mayor Charles Waldon. “As our community continues to grow, it will be an integral route for residents and motorists traveling through the region.”
“The improvements that have been made to this segment of roadway have improved the safety and efficiency of traveling through our community,” said Rodney Arbuckle, Sheriff of DeSoto Parish.
“The work that has been completed on this segment of roadway will benefit the local residents and businesses alike by improving access to I-49 North through the town of Stonewall," said B.D. Mitchell, President, DeSoto Parish Police Jury. “This project is another example of DOTD, the Jindal administration and the legislature’s commitment to improving infrastructure for DeSoto Parish.”
Since taking office in 2008, the Jindal Administration has made transportation and infrastructure projects a top priority by investing an unprecedented $4.9 billion in projects across the state, which includes more than 5,200 miles of roadway and bridge improvements. In DeSoto Parish over $102 million has been invested to improve infrastructure, enhance commutes and make this region more accessible to the state and the nation.
This project was awarded to Best-Yet Builders. Work on the project began in January 2011.
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).
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