LAFAYETTE, La. — Two out of three parts for the construction of I-10 in Acadiana are still underway. One of them is expected to be done in a few months.
The construction on I-10 has been phased out in three parts, with one of them being complete already. Now, the second part of the construction, going from I-49 to Breaux Bridge, is supposed to finish this upcoming summer.
The third and final part of the I-10 remodel goes from Breaux Bridge to Henderson. This phase of the project started in 2019 and is expected to be done by summer 2022.
Michael DeSelle, district engineer administrator for the Lafayette district, says they’re working on top of the foundation that was laid out when I-10 was originally built.
“That was over 50 years ago,” said DeSelle. “So, we’ve gotten a long life out of that pavement before we had to come back and do some work to it.”
More than $200 million was invested into this three-part project.
“The total investment for all these three sections of I-10, which goes all the way from I-49 all the way to the Basin Bridge, is an excess of 260 million dollars,” said DeSelle. “It’s a significant investment into our infrastructure and we think the traveling public are going to see the benefits, through added capacity and smoother roadways when we’re complete.”
Although the Acadiana area was heavily affected by two hurricanes in 2020 and the pandemic has put a halt in many community improvement projects, DeSelle said they are ahead of schedule.
“Even though we have had the hurricanes this past and the issues with COVID-19, the contractor has had good fortune, and they’re actually ahead of schedule in both of the remaining sections,” he said.
The department has a message for drivers as they are approaching the construction areas on I-10.
“As always, DOTD wants to remind the traveling public to be safe when they’re going through the construction zones, to adhere to the speed limits,” said DeSelle. “We not only have DOTD workers out there very near traffic, but we also have construction workers that we want to stay safe and don’t get injured.”
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
