Bossier City Construction Update: I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project Underway
Hey there, Bossier City! If you’ve been driving around town lately, you might have noticed those pesky roadwork signs popping up everywhere. You’ll be happy to hear that the Interstate 20 Major Rehabilitation Project is moving along, but it comes with a few detours that drivers need to be aware of.
What’s Happening?
From now through Saturday morning, the westbound lanes of I-20 from the I-220 interchange to Airline Drive will be closed for construction. But don’t fret—this closure is only happening at night, specifically from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. That gives everyone plenty of time during the day to go about their business!
Planning Your Route
So how do you get around this whole mess? The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is advising drivers to take the official detour. If you’re headed west on I-20, hop on I-220 west in order to rejoin I-20 at the Inner Loop Expressway near the Shreveport Regional Airport. It’s a bit of a roundabout, but it’s better than getting stuck in traffic and missing out on your evening plans!
Another alternative is to take the first exit on I-220 west to East Texas Street. From there, you can zigzag your way to Benton Road. Once you’re on Benton Road, the on-ramp is open and ready for you to reconnect to I-20 west in Bossier City. So, if you want to avoid that construction headache, this route works too!
Why the Closures?
Now, you might be wondering what all this construction fuss is about. Well, crews are getting ready to shift the lanes of travel. They’re moving vehicles away from the dilapidated outside lane to the newly renovated inside lane. Sounds like a good plan, right? Back in late October, similar work was completed on the eastbound lanes, and it’s about time for the westbound side to get some much-needed TLC.
What Lies Ahead
Just a heads-up—these nightly closures aren’t going away any time soon! The DOTD has warned that drivers should expect similar lane closures in the upcoming weeks as they work to wrap up this major rehabilitation project. It’s all part of their plan, and they promise that the end result will be a much smoother ride for all of us!
What’s the Big Deal?
Let’s not forget that this project is in its third and final phase. DOTD crews have been hard at work since September 2023, removing and replacing the original pavement that dates back to—the 1960s! That’s right—this is about giving a major facelift to our roads that have served us for decades. Remember, every bump and pothole you encounter is being addressed, so try to hang in there a little longer!
Stay Informed!
For those who want to stay updated on these closures, you can sign up for email notifications that will keep you in the loop. They only send them once a day, so you won’t be bombarded with updates, just the new ones that matter.
In the meantime, buckle up, drive safe, and maybe let someone else take the wheel if you’re feeling a bit testy about those detours. Bossier City’s roads are in for a bright future, and we’re all in this together!
