ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that Segment 2 of the highway project, LA 3241: I-12 to Bush, Louisiana, is now open to the public. This 8-mile stretch of new, four-lane state highway, combined with the previously opened Segment 3, provides over 13 miles of express, toll-free access connecting the Northshore communities of Lake Pontchartrain to towns such as Talisheek, Bush, Sun, and Bogalusa, Louisiana.
The full LA 3241 corridor connecting Bush to I-12 near Lacombe, Louisiana, has an estimated cost of $220 million. The project comprises three segments, with the third segment's northern end at the LA 40/LA 41 intersection in Bush. These segments total 20 miles of new highway, incorporating advanced safety and efficiency engineering. J-Turns and roundabouts help eliminate cross-traffic and reduce delays, minimizing crashes and improving traffic flow.
“Easing congestion and improving traffic on our roads, including state and local infrastructure, has been one of the top priorities for my administration,” St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper said. “The opening of this segment of Highway 3241 is aligned with the commitment we’ve made to our citizens: new roads to ease traffic. I am thankful for our partnership with the state, which has put the needs of our citizens first.”
The newly opened Segment 2 connects Talisheek (LA 435) to LA 36, about 4 miles west of Hickory Creek. This segment began construction in early 2022 at a cost of $63 million. Segment 3, a 5.6-mile stretch of highway connecting Bush and Talisheek, was constructed from 2021 to 2024 for $46 million.
“The opening of Segment 2 of LA 3241 puts us one step closer to long-awaited four-lane access to I-12 and different connections to major commercial hubs across the Gulf South,” Washington Parish President Ryan Seal said. “This efficient route strengthens our infrastructure, improves mobility, and opens the door to new economic opportunities for Washington Parish.”
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The final segment, Segment 1, will connect LA 36 to the I-12/LA 434 interchange. It is currently being prepared for future construction, which includes grubbing and utility relocation work. Segment 1 is estimated to cost between $110 million and $120 million and is scheduled to go out to bid in December.
The LA 3241 project was originally part of the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development Program, created in 1989. The program aimed to enhance economic development in Louisiana by investing in transportation improvement projects. Funding was later switched to the state’s highway priority program.
State leaders anticipate that connecting I-12 to the St. Tammany and Washington Parish communities will boost the economies of towns like Sun and Bogalusa, which currently link to the interstate system via several connecting state roads. Currently, the distance between Bogalusa and I-12 is approximately 40 miles. However, once all segments of the new LA 3241 are completed, that distance will decrease to around 30 miles.
