The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officially launched the $39.2 million LA 544 (Tech Drive) overpass project in Ruston on Wednesday. The overpass carries traffic over I-20.
“This project is a prime example of smart, strategic stewardship of taxpayer dollars, replacing an aging structure built in the 1960s with a modern bridge designed to meet today’s safety standards and tomorrow’s transportation demands,” Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet Jr. said. “This is much more than a bridge replacement – this is a corridor transformation that serves the continuously growing city of Ruston, LA Tech University, and surrounding areas.”
Preliminary work already has began and includes clearing the site of vegetation. The utility companies that own assets within the construction zone relocated their infrastructure. Construction of the overpass will begin after preliminary work is finished.
The current overpass was built in 1963. It will remain open to traffic during construction.
The project also includes building a retaining wall and three concrete roundabouts, street lighting, permanent roadway striping and signage, and concrete paving for the roadway tie-ins.
Work is expected to be completed in late 2029.
Average daily traffic for I-20 near the overpass is 54,000 vehicles while the LA 544 overpass carries 18,000 vehicles.