Celebrating One Year Of The Colossal I-20 Construction

September 2023 marked the beginning of the I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project; now, a year later, work on the Interstate continues.

The I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project will completely reconstruct a section of the interstate that sees an estimated 70,000-100,000 vehicles drive over it daily. This pavement will replace the original roadways in the 1960s when I-20 was constructed.

Locals have complained about the construction since its start as for the first two months of construction the right lane was closed in both directions through the stretch of I-20 being worked on. After that two-month window was over the right lane was opened back up but the left lane on both sides is now closed and remains that way still.

The construction has three phases, one of which is already complete, and one almost nearing completion. Phase 1 was the first two months of construction with the right lanes closed to allow for preparations on the road. Phase 2 is currently underway with the left lane closed in both directions to allow the construction of new roadways.

Phase 2 is projected to end in November to leave way for Phase 3. During Phase 3 the left lane will be opened again on both travelways of the Interstate but the right lanes will once again be closed off. This time it is projected to take a year for Phase 3 to be completed.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development estimates that the I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project will cost about $121.7 million over the 2 years the project is planned for. The DOTD estimates that construction will be finished by the end of 2025.