Johnny B. Bradberry, DOTD secretary, urged drivers to use extra caution when traveling on the roadways during the upcoming holiday weekend, especially at rail crossings.
Below is the regional listing of work schedules and road closures for interstate construction and major road projects.
Southeast Louisiana
In the New Orleans area, all lanes of I-10, I-310, I-510 and I-610 will remain open during the holiday weekend.
In the Slidell area, all lanes of I-12 and I-59 will remain open.
Also in the Slidell area, construction continues on I-10 at its intersection with U.S. 190 (Fremeaux interchange). Drivers may experience delays because of an eastbound lane closure and a westbound lane closure at the Fremeaux interchange. Two lanes will remain open to traffic in each direction.
In the Hammond area and surrounding parishes, all lanes of I-10, I-12 and I-55 will remain open.
In the Baton Rouge area, all lanes of I-10 and I-12 will remain open. Also in the Baton Rouge area, construction continues on La. 427 (Perkins Road) between Bluebonnet Boulevard and Siegen Lane. Drivers should expect delays because of a left-turn lane closure (both directions) on Perkins Road at Oakdale Boulevard.
Southwest Louisiana
In the Lafayette area, all lanes of I-49 will be open to traffic. I-10 will remain closed between Baton Rouge and Lafayette through Dec. 4. The current detour that is re-routing traffic along U.S. 190 remains in effect. All westbound traffic traveling through Baton Rouge should use Interstate 110 north in Baton Rouge to exit 5, to U.S. 190 west. All eastbound traffic traveling through Lafayette should Use Interstate 49 north in Lafayette to exit 19, in Opelousas, to U.S. 190 east. Drivers traveling between Lafayette and New Orleans can also use U.S. 90 as an alternate route. In the Lake Charles area, all lanes of I-10 and I-210 will be open to traffic.
Central Louisiana
In the Alexandria area, all lanes of I-49 will remain open to traffic. In Avoyelles Parish, La. 114 at the Bayou Des Glaises Diversion Canal will be closed to traffic. Drivers will be detoured via La. 114, La. 1186 and La. 1.
Northeast Louisiana
In Caldwell Parish, construction continues on sections of U.S. 165 from Grayson to the Ouachita Parish line. Drivers may experience some minor delays and short detours because of the construction activity in this area.
Also in Caldwell Parish, construction continues on La.126 west of La. 4. Traffic will be detoured via La. 127 or La. 4.
In Catahoula and Concordia parishes, construction continues on U.S. 84 in the Jonesville area. Drivers may experience minor delays because of construction activity in this area.
Also in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, construction continues on La. 15 from Clayton to Greenville. No delays are expected.
In LaSalle Parish, construction continues on U.S. 84 from its intersection with La. 459 in Jena to its intersection with La. 8 in Whitehall. Drivers may experience minor delays due to single lane closures.
Northwest Louisiana
In the Shreveport-Bossier City Area and surrounding parishes, all lanes of I-20, I-220 and I-49 will remain open.
Oversize/overweight vehicle movement
Secretary Bradberry announced today that all oversize and overweight vehicle movement on all state highways will be prohibited on Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Bradberry said the decision was made in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety’s Office of State Police in order to provide maximum safety for motorists traveling on state highways during this holiday.
In addition, both spans of the I-10 “twin-span” bridge between Slidell and New Orleans are closed to all oversize and overweight permit loads until further notice. Because the temporary panels used to repair the westbound span are taking a pounding from speeders, especially overweight and speeding trucks, state troopers and Weights and Standard officers assigned to the Louisiana State Police Transportation Environmental Safety Section (TESS) have stepped up traffic enforcement. The weight limit for 18-wheelers traveling westbound is 70,000 pounds. The weight limit eastbound is 80,000 pounds. All other loads can use I-55.
The Department’s Weights and Standards and Truck Permit Office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23. Permits effective for Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25, must be called in by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Further information
Travelers can access up-to-date information about weather-related road conditions, construction activities and other critical incidents by dialing 511 from their telephone. The voice-activated 511 Traveler Information System is available to most wireless and landline telephone users. Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information System Web site at www.511la.org.
More detailed information on the status of DOTD construction projects and road closures may be obtained via the Traveler Information link from DOTD’s Web site, www.dotd.la.gov.
Traffic cameras for the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Walker, Lafayette, Lake Charles, LaPlace, and New Orleans areas also may be viewed from that site.
In addition, DOTD’s Customer Service Center representatives can answer questions about road closures not listed above or any other DOTD-related questions. Please call (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683) with questions.
Finally, drivers are encouraged to tune in to local radio stations for current traffic and accident information prior to traveling.
Drivers who notice road hazards, such as potholes or debris in the road, are urged to call DOTD’s statewide, toll-free Highway Safety Hot Line at 1-800-259-HWAY (4929). The automated system operates 24 hours a day and routes callers to the appropriate field office to report hazardous conditions.