Commuters in Lafayette, prepare for detours: the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has declared that I-49 Northbound at its juncture with I-10 will close this weekend for repairs. According to a DOTD announcement, starting from Friday at 9 p.m. and expected until next Monday, at 5 a.m., the road closure is set to facilitate repairs on the damaged exterior girder of the I-10 eastbound overpass deck, which was struck back in December 2024.
The project's initial phase involves removing the existing damaged girder, and then, positioning a new one - all with the aid of a hefty crane, following this a bridge deck will be fabricated in place over the ensuing weeks, this means that travelers can anticipate subsequent closures as the work progresses. Notably, the eastbound lanes of I-10 will remain unhindered during this period, except for the overpass's auxiliary lane, the northbound exit ramp from I-10, Exit 103B and Exit 1A that typically directs to I-10 eastbound will be inaccessible during the closure window.
However, there is a recommended detour for those navigating the zone: folks heading north on I-49 should take Exit 1A towards Baton Rouge, then proceed east on I-10 to Louisiana Avenue via Exit 104, following which, they can catch I-10 westbound to re-join I-49/US 167 at Exit 103B. It's important to acknowledge that emergency vehicles will be unable to pass through this stretch of I-49 Northbound while the closure is in effect.
With the closure poised to disrupt the regular flow of Lafayette's weekend traffic, the DOTD's urgency in addressing this structural integrity issue is a reflection of the public safety commitment, despite the inconvenience it spells for drivers. Lafayette-based companies, Huval & Associates, Inc. and C.E.C., Inc., have been named as the emergency contractors managing the design and construction phases of the project respectively, with an estimated completion date set for March, weather permitting.
