DOTD announces major project to repair I-20 in Bossier City, sections of Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a project to provide major repairs to a heavily traveled section of I-20 in Bossier City, as well as additional repairs along the I-20 corridor in Shreveport.

The project went to bid on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, with an apparent low bid of $82,564,848.20.

The long-awaited project includes a full reconstruction of all lanes of I-20 from just west of LA 3 (Benton Road) near Hamilton Road to LA 782-2 (Industrial Drive). The pavement will be removed down to the roadway sub-base and replaced along this 3.5 mile section of interstate, which services between 62,000 – 86,000 vehicles per day.

This reconstruction will be performed in phases, and also includes all on and off-ramps of the five interchanges between Benton Road and Industrial Drive in Bossier City.

“An incredible amount of work as part of the project development process has gone into preparing this project for this month’s letting,” said Dr. Shawn D. Wilson, DOTD Secretary. “We fully understand how highly anticipated these major repairs are and we’re anxious to begin construction.”

Additionally, concrete patching repairs will be conducted on I-20 stretching from Pines Road in Shreveport to I-220 in Bossier City, outside of the complete reconstruction area. This work will address other sections of the busy interstate corridor that serves both residents and the thousands of motorists passing through the region on a daily basis.

An innovative queue detection system will be implemented for this project, which will provide advanced warning to motorists that they are approaching a line of congestion and may choose to detour. This type of system is effective in improving safety during construction projects – particularly on an interstate – and for helping to mitigate traffic congestion approaching the work zone.

The project also includes the replacement of the street lighting system components along the stretch of I-20 that is being reconstructed in Bossier City.

Actual construction work will begin in early 2022, following the contractor’s allotted assembly period.