I-20 Bossier Reconstruction Begins Soon And Will Last 2 Years

Much like the weather forecasts of late, we knew this announcement was coming, and we knew it would hurt, but we just didn't know how badly.

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With all the complaints motorists have made about I-20 in Bossier City, it's really good news that something will soon be done about this disastrous stretch of highway.  However, getting this work done will be a traffic nightmare.

I-20 in Bossier City is about to be reconstructed from Hamilton Road all the way to Industrial Drive in both east and westbound directions.

This morning the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has announced the start of construction for the major I-20 rehabilitation project in Bossier and Caddo parishes.

Work is scheduled to begin Monday, September 18, on this section of the interstate which services approximately 70,000 to 100,000 vehicles per day.

DOTD states that this stretch of I-20 will be fully re-constructed with all existing pavement and roadway base removed and replaced with new base and concrete. This is a critical improvement for the interstate system in the NWLA region, as this project is removing and replacing original pavement from the 1960's when I-20 was first constructed.

This portion of the project is organized into three phases.

Phase 1

• Right lane closed in both directions to allow for construction of temporary diversion pavement on outside shoulder in order to handle traffic load
• Will last approximately two months

Phase 2

• Left lane closed in both directions to allow for construction of new inside lane and shoulder
• Will last approximately ten months

Phase 3

• Right lane closed in both directions to allow for construction of new outside lane and shoulder.  This phase also includes rehabilitation of all on/off ramps at the Barksdale Boulevard, Old Minden Road, Airline Drive and Industrial Drive interchanges.
• Approximately one year

In addition to this re-construction work, extensive concrete pavement repairs will be underway from Pines Road to Market Street on the west end of the project in Shreveport, and from Industrial Drive to I-220 on the east end in Bossier City.  This work will be performed primarily at night in an effort to minimize travel inconveniences in conjunction with the long-term rehab work lane closures.

An innovative queue detection system will also be implemented for this project, which will provide real-time advanced warning to motorists that they are approaching construction area congestion and should be prepared to slow down or choose to detour. This project also includes the replacement of the roadway lighting system components along the stretch of I-20 that is being reconstructed in Bossier City.

“This is a significant project, not just for Shreveport-Bossier, but for the northwest region as a whole,” said DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda. “A critical investment like this in our interstate system translates to our continued ability to move goods and services efficiently, as well as to provide the travel experience residents and visitors expect.”