BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a project to improve capacity and the roadway on I-10 in Calcasieu Parish. The $45.5-million project was awarded to Gilchrist Construction and stretches from just west of the LA 108 interchange (Exit 23) to the I-210 interchange (Exit 25).

The project will increase capacity by widening I-10 eastbound and westbound to four lanes between LA 108 and I-210. This will create an axillary lane between the LA 108 and I-210 interchanges. Twelve-foot shoulders will also be installed both directions on the inside and outside lanes. The Maple Fork Bridges will be replaced and raised above the 100-year flood elevation. The concrete sections west of Maple Fork Bridge will be fully reconstructed and replaced, and the existing asphalt pavement east of the Maple Fork Bridge will be milled and overlaid which will improve the service of the roadway.

Major construction work is anticipated to begin early 2020. Two lanes in each direction will be maintained on I-10 throughout the project.

The contractor has begun preliminary work to prepare for major construction work in early 2020. This work will have minimal impact to traffic with the occasionally short-term lane closures. Motorists may expect to see the installation of temporary signs and barricades, relocation of utilities, pile driving for the replacement of the Maple Fork Bridges and installation of a queue detection system that will provide real-time traffic information to drivers via message boards and flashing signs.

Utilizing this time to complete preparatory work, will allow major construction work to begin in early 2020 and prevent an extensive overlap with the ongoing I-210 project and the upcoming holiday season. The entire project is expected to be complete in summer 2021, with progress dependent on weather.