New phase of work on I-10 starts next week: See how it will affect Baton Rouge traffic

Construction on I-10 westbound between Perkins Road and Dalrymple Drive will kick off Nov. 30, the Department of Transportation and Development said. 

The work is part of the department’s massive I-10 reconstruction and widening project. 

Drivers can expect various overnight lane closures on I-10 westbound between Acadian Thruway and Louise Street from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8. The westbound Perkins Road on-ramp and the westbound Dalrymple Drive off-ramp will be fully closed overnight during this time.

Throughout construction, temporary barriers will be installed along the outside lane of I-10 to allow crews to work, shifting motorists toward the inside center median. There will be no shoulders on the highway during construction. 

On Nov. 29, temporary concrete barriers will be installed along the current southbound lane on Dalrymple Drive from the I-10 westbound exit ramp, shifting southbound traffic onto the inside northbound lane. 

This phase of construction is expected to be completed in late 2025, DOTD said in a press release. 

In addition, E. Lakeshore Drive at I-10 will be closed from Lake Hills Parkway to Fiero Street and open to local traffic only starting Nov. 27. This portion of the street will not be accessible to motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists, DOTD said. The closure is anticipated to remain in place for three years.

“North and southbound traffic are advised to use Dalrymple Drive throughout the duration of this closure,” DOTD said. 

Once the widening project is completed, there will be four travel lanes in each direction from the I-10/I-110 interchange to Acadian Thruway. The project is designed to alleviate a notorious traffic bottleneck, but state officials have warned that the construction could lead to major delays while it is underway.