DOTD, state, and local leaders celebrate the completion of a $56.2 million I-12 widening project in St. Tammany
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 2:14:41 PM
St. Tammany Parish – Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Glenn Ledet joined state and local leaders today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the $56.2 million I-12 widening project between LA 21 and LA 1077 in St. Tammany Parish.
"This project reflects two fundamental priorities for DOTD: safety and efficiency,” said Ledet. "Thanks to Gov. Landry’s leadership and our coordinated teamwork, we completed this project several months ahead of schedule. Proudly, we now have a highway that fulfills both our current needs and future demands and travelers can experience the added capacity that has been much needed."
The 3.5 miles of expanded lanes were initially expected to be finished by spring 2026, but minimal delays due to dry weather and favorable working conditions enabled an earlier opening.
“Thriving communities like ours have growing infrastructure needs, and I continue to be grateful for my colleagues in Baton Rouge and our federal delegation for supporting our growth here in St. Tammany,” said State Sen. Patrick McMath. “I-12 is a vital corridor for interstate commerce, and I will continue to fight for its expansion from Baton Rouge to Slidell.”
With the completion of this project, the I-12 corridor has been widened to at least six lanes across the greater Mandeville/Covington area — from LA 59 to LA 1077 — in three phases, totaling $170 million.
"Widening I-12 has been greatly anticipated, so we appreciate DOTD's continued efforts and look forward to eventually seeing all of it done from Slidell to Baton Rouge," said State Rep. Mark Wright.
Over 100,000 vehicles travel through the project area each day, an increase from 81,500 in 2018 and 68,000 in 2012. About 80% of that traffic continues toward Hammond or Slidell.
“This is a great day for St. Tammany Parish! The widening of Interstate 12 has exponentially improved our citizens’ quality of life,” said Parish President Mike Cooper. “Traffic is considerably reduced, but more importantly, this major roadway across our parish is safer for our citizens. This project is a testimony of the positive impact that comes with the partnership between DOTD and St. Tammany to invest in our infrastructure for generations to come.”
Phase one of the project widened three miles of pavement surface from US 190 to LA 59 at a cost of $54.1 million. Lanes were widened into the median, resurfaced, and striped. The project also widened the bridges over US 190, the Ponchitolawa Creek, and the Tammany Trace bike path. Phase one was completed in 2023.
The project's second phase included the same reconstruction elements as phase one along 3.4 miles of I-12 from US 190 west to LA 21. It was finished in late 2023 at a cost of $59.1 million.
DOTD anticipates that daily vehicle numbers could rise by as much as 40,000 by 2036. The expansion projects are designed to accommodate that growth.
“The I-12 widening will make travel through St. Tammany much safer and will improve the quality of life for so many St. Tammany residents!” said Parish Councilman Rick Smith.
The three-part I-12 widening project is one of two major infrastructure upgrades by DOTD in the area. The other is the $30 million US 190: US 190B to LA 434 bridge and widening project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
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