SLIDELL, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening of the Fremaux interchange project at Interstate 10 in Slidell.

“The new interchange will reduce traffic congestion by giving drivers another access point to I-10,” said DOTD Legislative Liaison Roy Quezaire. “The interchange will also help spur economic development in the area.”

DOTD celebrated the opening of the interchange at 10:30 a.m. with a ceremony hosted by Quezaire. Other speakers included State Senator A.G. Crowe, Slidell Mayor Ben Morris and St. Tammany Parish Councilman Gene Bellisario.

Work on the $21.5 million project included replacing the existing two-lane Fremaux (U.S. 190 Business) overpass over I-10 with a four-lane overpass and on- and off-ramps to I-10 eastbound and westbound. The service roads along Fremaux (U.S. 190 Business) were also reconstructed during the project.

The new overpass and interchange will help ease congestion on Gause Boulevard, provide direct access to the Old Towne neighborhood and to Summit Fremaux, and give the growing areas of Slidell and St. Tammany Parish additional access to I-10.

Although the roadway is open, drivers should proceed with caution through the area while the contractor performs final clean up, grass seeding, and sign and fence installation work. The remaining work is scheduled to be complete within the next two months.

The contractor for the project is James Construction Group LLC of Baton Rouge. The project started in May 2006. 

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www.dotd.la.gov