Jimmie Davis Highway Changes Next Week: Drivers Moving to New Lanes

Nearly sixty years ago, in 1968, traffic in the southern parts of Shreveport and Bossier City was lightened due to the creation of a new crossing over Red River, with the construction of the Jimmie Davis Bridge.

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And now, that bridge has come to the end of its usefulness for vehicle traffic. That being the case, in May 2024, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development kicked off construction of a new modernized 4-lane bridge structure just north of the existing bridge.

This will provide expanded traffic capacity and more efficient traffic flow crossing the Red River, connecting the growing communities of south Bossier City and Shreveport.

Though Not For Vehicles, The Old Jimmie Davis Bridge Will Still Be Used

LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy/70th St.) is also being widening and realigned as it approaches the new bridge on both sides of the river. The current plan for the existing 2-lane bridge is to convert the structure into the state’s first linear park, with connectivity to the walking path networks on either side of the river.

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In the latest announcement from the DOTD, we learn that the ongoing $361 million LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Bridge) replacement project is shifting into Phase 2 of construction.

With the start of Phase 2, beginning next Friday, December 12, a traffic swap will occur on LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy) on the Bossier City side of the river. Motorists will be transitioned over to the newly constructed lanes of pavement on the north side of the existing roadway.

Along With The Swap To New Lanes, Drivers Will Also Need to Use the New J-turn

Drivers will also begin to use the new J-turn that has been constructed near the CVS store. Eastbound motorists on Jimmie Davis Hwy wishing to turn left or turn back westbound will proceed east down to the J-turn opening and wait for a gap to merge back into the roadway.

Additionally on Dec. 12th, the newly built ramp that intersects with the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway will be opened to traffic. This transition will allow bridge construction to continue to progress.

The entire project is anticipated to be complete in mid-late 2027, weather and other factors permitting.