The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently completed the first two segments of the $169.8 million I-12 corridor project through the Northshore.
During the $54.5 million phase one, crews widened three miles from US 190 to LA 59, overlaid the existing lanes with asphalt, and installed concrete median protection. The bridges over US 190, the Ponchatolawa Creek, and the Tammany Trace bike path also were widened.
During the $59.1 million phase two, crews conducted the same work on 3.4 miles of I-12 from US 190 westward to LA 21.
Phase three is currently under construction. The $56.1 million phase will widen I-12 from LA 1077 to LA 21. Work is expected to be completed in 2026.
More than 90,000 vehicles travel through daily the project area. This figure has increased by 8,500 since 2018. DOTD estimates the daily traffic count will reach as high as 130,000 vehicles daily by 2036. Expansion will accommodate future growth.
“Not only are our citizens able to travel more safely, but they are traveling on I-12 and its connecting roads more efficiently,” St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper said.
DOTD has other projects underway in the area including the $30 million US 190/Collins Bridge project and the construction of LA 3241.