The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said Thursday it would begin work on major repairs to I-20 in Bossier City and parts of Shreveport.
The much anticipate project will include reconstruction of all lanes of I-20 from just west of Benton Road in Bossier City to Hamilton Road, where crews will remove pavement down to the roadway sub-based and place it along a 3.5 mile section of interstate. Officials said I-20 sees between 62,000 and 86,000 vehicles per day.
At a cost of over $117 million, the project will commence in stages, and includes all off and on-ramps for the five interchanges along the interstate.
“This is a significant project, not just for Shreveport-Bossier, but for the northwest region as a whole,” said DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda. “A critical investment like this in our interstate system translates to our continued ability to move goods and services efficiently, as well as to provide the travel experience residents and visitors expect.”
Crews will also do concrete patching repairs on I-20 between Pines Road in Shreveport to I-220 in Bossier City. This work will address other sections of the interstate corridor that serves residents and others passing through the busy region daily. Crews will also replace the roadway lighting system components along the Bossier City stretch of I-20.
To handle congestion, officials said an innovative queue detection system will be used to provide real-time advanced warning for motorists of impending congestion, offering suggestions slow down or choose a detour. The system is effective in improving safety during construction projects, officials said, and for helping to mitigate traffic congestion’
Construction will begin in late 2023 after the contractor’s allotted assembly period, and is expected to take two years, with progress dependent on weather condition and other factors, officials said.