Project Information
| Interstate 10 and Interstate 12 |
|---|
The Louisiana DOTD Geaux Wider Program is a multi-year construction initiative designed to increase capacity, improve safety and enhance mobility for a combined total of nearly 20 miles of Interstates 10 and 12 in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes.
Approximately 300,000 drivers use I-10 and I-12 each day. It is a critical route for thousands who live and work in Baton Rouge, a vital transcontinental freight corridor and a principal east-west link for the southern United States.
Included in the program is also the installation of 16 ramp meters on I-12 from Baton Rouge to Livingston Parish. The ramp meters are designed to improve travel times, facilitate smoother merging and increase safety by reducing vehicle crashes.
The cost of the entire program to date (five widening projects and the ramp metering installation) is $315 million.
Construction is Underway
All six travel lanes on Interstate 12 between O'Neal Lane and Juban Road opened on June 12, 2012, immediately following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. These are the first new lanes to open in the Geaux Wider Program.
Construction on both interstate highways (including 24 bridges and overpasses) is underway now. During peak travel times four lanes of traffic (two lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound) are expected to remain open, although some oversized tractor trailers may be required to use alternate routes. When lane closures are required, they will mostly occur at night during non-peak travel times and with DOTD approval.
For the safety of motorists and construction workers, the speed limit in the work zones limits is 50 mph and will be strictly enforced by law enforcement. DOTD's Motorist Assistance Patrol vans will assist drivers in the event of accidents or breakdowns.
Geaux Wider Work Zones
The following interstate segments are under construction:
- (Now open to traffic) Interstate 10, from the I-10/12 split to Siegen Lane.
- Construction start - early 2009.
- Projected completion - early 2013.
- Construction cost - $86.2 million.
- Interstate 10, from the Siegen Lane interchange to Highland Road.
- Construction start - mid-2010.
- Projected completion - early 2013.
- Construction cost - $60 million.
- (Now open to traffic) Interstate 12, from the O’Neal Lane interchange to Pete’s Highway.
- Construction start - early 2009.
- Projected completion - mid-2012.
- Construction cost - $110 million.
- (Now open to traffic) Interstate 12 eastbound from Pete’s Highway to Juban Road.
- Construction start - mid-2010.
- Projected completion - early 2012.
- Construction cost - $36.2 million.
- Interstate 12, from Juban Road to the Walker/La. 447 interchange.
- Construction start - early 2012.
- Projected completion - mid-2013.
- Construction cost - $21.9 million.
In November 2011 plans were announced to extend the six lane improvements from the Walker interchange east toward Satsuma. Work on this sixth Geaux Wider project is expected to begin in late 2013.