Louisiana I-49 segment construction set to begin

Gov. Bobby Jindal attended a ceremonial concrete pouring Monday in Ida — about one mile from the Arkansas border — to mark the start of the work on I-49 North.

The Associated Press

12/30/2008

IDA, La. — A contract has been awarded to start construction on the final stretch of Interstate 49 to the Arkansas state line.

Currently, I-49 in Louisiana begins in Lafayette and ends in Shreveport.

North Louisiana officials have long pushed to build the 36-mile portion to connect Shreveport with I-49 in Arkansas.

The estimated cost is $600 million, with the project 80 percent federally funded.

A contract for a $21 million, two-mile segment of the north Louisiana portion has been signed with Denton-James LLC. Construction is to begin in the spring and be completed a year later.

Gov. Bobby Jindal attended a ceremonial concrete pouring Monday in Ida — about one mile from the Arkansas border — to mark the start of the work on I-49 North.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.