RUSTON, La. (KNOE) — Construction is still in full swing and will be for a great way as The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is continuing to work on the LA 544 (Tech Drive) Overpass Replacement project in Ruston, with lane closures scheduled through Friday.
Beginning Tuesday, July 8 through July 10 drivers can expect a nighttime lane closure on westbound I-20 and a daytime lane closure on northbound LA 544 — Tech Drive/Cooktown Road — between the Tarbutton Interchange and the U.S. 167 Interchange. DOTD said the closures are tied to moving construction equipment.
What drivers need to know
Nighttime closures run from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. Officials are urging drivers to slow down, watch for crews and plan for delays.
Motorists should expect plenty of delays through the process of the bridge replacement. With this lane closure, DOTD does not permit alternate routes, but they do encourage drivers to keep in mind that the origin of the bridge construction was in the 1960s and DOTD plans to bring modern day structure with a roundaabout.
Erin Buchanan, DOTD Public Information Officer said
“We’re vastly improving traffic flow and safety as you enter and exit the bridge and the interstate system… and keep inconvenience to a minimum,” Buchanan said. “Believe it or not, we really do plan that. We put a lot of thought and planning into when we’re going to do construction.”
Buchanan also mentioned “when it comes to construction, when it comes to a bridge replacement or an overlay project, you know, traffic will be impacted in some way.”
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