DOTD will begin transitioning I-20 westbound traffic in Bossier City into Phase 3 of its major rehabilitation project. Starting tonight, I-20 westbound from I-220 to the Airline Drive interchange will close nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for five nights. This closure allows contractors to move concrete barriers to prepare for a lane shift. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says it’s a milestone for the project…
“It’s just another accomplishment in order to put traffic on the new concrete and on those new travel lanes. First time in about 60 years we’ve been able to do that.’
On Saturday, traffic will shift to new travel lanes from I-220 to Airline Drive, with the remainder of the shift extending toward Hamilton Road in the following weeks. Buchanan says the transition will take time.
“It’s not something that can be done in a matter of hours. It takes several days to move those concrete barriers and get everybody situated in the right place.”
Buchanan advises drivers to exercise caution in construction zones, stay alert for work crews, and allow adequate following distance. During nightly closures, westbound traffic will detour to I-220, and Airline Drive ramps will remain open.
“Thankfully we’ve got a bypass to use, and it doesn’t put you way out of your way if you have to detour. But we just want to make people aware that it may look a little different if you travel through the work zone as we kind of shift.”
. For ongoing updates, visit the I-20 project webpage.
