On Monday, state officials announced the completion of the I-10 widening project in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes.
Gov. John Bel Edwards was joined Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D., as well as local and state officials at a press conference on October 26.
“This widening project has been a priority for the state in order to alleviate the traffic congestion for the more than 95,000 motorists who travel this route daily,” said Gov. Edwards. “That number is expected to reach over 110,000 the next 10 years, which is why it was essential to offer additional travel lanes to accommodate this increase in capacity. I’m thankful to everyone involved for their hard work in making this project become a reality. It is one example of how working together can create infrastructure that will improve the quality of life for our citizens and improve our economy.”
The state says that the $72 million project consisted of widening I-10 from four lanes to six lanes from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to the LA 73 interchange in Prairieville. Additionally, the two bridges on the I-10 overpass above Highland Road were replaced with one large overpass that includes three 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, separated by a two-foot barrier.
The LA 928 (Bluff Road) bridge was also raised approximately nine inches to comply with updated federal interstate standards.
“The commercial opportunities and advantages offered by the completion of this project will be immense, as this is a heavily traveled freight corridor and the main corridor used by motorists traveling between Baton Rouge and the growing suburban areas of northern Ascension Parish,” said Sec. Wilson. “This is another example of what can be accomplished when elected leaders work together to create a better infrastructure system for our motorists.”
The state says that the corridor currently sees more than 95,000 motorists a day. The construction project began in February 2018.
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