Construction is set to begin later this month for a project to replace the 60-year-old LA 532 overpass over I-20 in Webster Parish. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the final utility relocation is underway now and once that is finished, the construction will start.
“The good news about this one is that the new overpass will be constructed adjacent to the existing structure so traffic will be maintained throughout the majority of the construction process,” said Buchanan.
The brand new overpass is just east of Minden is expected to be complete in Fall 2021 and will cost $8 million.
The state has received $76 million from the feds to fund several projects. Buchanan says other projects include replacing three closed bridges in Red River and Bienville Parishes.
“They actually were closed last April, so we are looking at almost a year of closure for those. We understand it has been a hardship for folks that live in those rural areas and in those parishes,” said Buchanan.
The 52-year-old LA 507 bridge between Womack and Castor in Red River Parish is being replaced by a $2.1 million project that is expected to start in April and finish in Spring 2021.
Buchanan says two bridges built in 1968 on LA 4 between Castor and Lucky in Bienville Parish have also closed for several months due to poor conditions. Buchanan says closures happen out of concern for safety.
“Once we inspect a bridge and it is deemed not safe for travel, we will close it. If we are able to make the repairs in house, we’ll do it, absolutely. But for these particular bridges, what was needed for them was too extensive,” said Buchanan.
Those bridges will be replaced as part of a $2.3 million project set to begin in April and are also expected to wrap up in Spring 2021.
