La DOT Announces Oversize/Overweight Travel Restrictions During Mardi Gras
The Mardi Gras holiday officially begins today, Friday, February 28 and runs through Tuesday, March 4.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation wants drivers to be aware of road closures and restrictions during the 4-day festivities.
DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas said, “Our department would like to remind motorists to engage in safe driving practices by obeying all traffic laws. This means paying attention to posted speed limits, specifically in construction zones, wearing your seatbelt and refraining from drinking while driving.”
Below is the regional listing of work schedules and road closures for interstate construction and major road projects.
From Louisiana Department of Transportation:
· Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes (including the interstates)
· Within the city limits of Lafayette, with the exception of I-10
· Within the city limits and surrounding area of New Roads
· Within the city limits and surrounding area of Houma
· Within the city limits and surrounding area of Lake Charles, with the exception of I-10 and I-210
LeBas said the decision was made in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, to provide maximum safety for motorists traveling during the holidays.
The Truck Permit Office will remain open Monday, March 3, and Tuesday, March 4, to issue permits outside of the restricted areas. Please call 1-800-654-1433 for information on permits.
Southeast Louisiana
The following will remain open to traffic:
· In the New Orleans area, all lanes of I-10, I-310, I-510 and I-610.
· In St. Tammany Parish, all lanes of I-59, I-10, and I-12.
· In the Hammond area, all lanes of I-12 and I-55.
· In East Baton Rouge Parish, all lanes of I-10, I-12 and I-110.
· In Livingston Parish, all lanes of I-12.
The following will have alternating lane closures:
· In Livingston Parish, on U.S. 190 from La. 63 to the Tangipahoa Parish line.
· In Tangipahoa Parish, U.S. 190 between La. 445 and the St. Tammany Parish line will have alternating lane closures on Monday, March 3. U.S. 51 between La. 10 and La. 38 will have alternating lane closures on Friday, February 28.
Southwest Louisiana
The following will remain open to traffic:
· In the Lafayette area, all lanes of I-10 and I-49.
· In the Lake Charles area, all lanes of I-10 and I-210.
The following will have alternating lane closures or will be closed to traffic:
· In Acadia Parish, La. 35 between La. 1102 and Dr. Parrot Avenue will be closed to traffic.
· In St. Landry Parish, the Grand Prairie rest area located on I-49 is closed to travelers while undergoing renovations.
· In St. Martin Parish, La. 352 between Henderson and Herman Dupuis Road will be reduced to one lane for construction work.
· In Vermillion Parish, La. 35 between La. 82 and La. 335 will remain closed to traffic.
Northeast Louisiana
The following will remain open to traffic:
· In the Monroe area, all lanes of I-20 will remain open to traffic and there will be no lane closures on major routes in the area.
The following areas may experience traffic delays due to construction:
· In Caldwell Parish, construction is underway on La. 847, between the intersection of U.S. 165 and La. 133.
· In Franklin Parish, construction is underway on La. 863, between the intersection of La. 4 and La. 578.
Northwest Louisiana
· There will be alternating lane closures at various locations along I-20 in Bossier, Bienville and Webster parishes, with only one lane closed at a time.