The objective of the I-10 widening project is to improve the “I-10 bottleneck,” a major contributor to the region’s traffic woes. This project is a critical piece in a suite of necessary transportation investments to solve the region’s traffic problems.
As the only engineer-approved strategy designed to efficiently move congestion through the heart of Baton Rouge, the project is the first phase of an estimated $1.1 billion plan to widen I-10 between LA Hwy 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish and the I-10/12 split in East Baton Rouge Parish. Phase One’s goal of the project from the I-10/I-110 split to the Acadian Thruway is to add an additional lane in each direction, increasing the number of lanes from 3 to 4. The widening is expected to be completed by early 2028. Once completed, traffic modeling suggests that post-construction travel times may be reduced anywhere from 2% to 18% during peak travel times. There is potential for the project scope and timeline to change between now and the end of this year, as DOTD evaluates lane closures slated for Stage 2 of the construction timeline.
The information below is based on the most recent open-source information from DOTD. BRAC will continuously update this webpage to reflect any changes in near real time.
- $600 million in funding secured to cover the estimated costs of Phase 1
- Additional lane added in each direction from I-10/I-110 split to Acadian Thruway
- Construction on widening begins late 2023 without traffic disruption
- Eastbound lane closures will occur early 2025 (1 lane closure, 2 lanes open)
- Westbound lane closures will occur late 2026/early 2027 (1 lane closure, 2 lanes open)
- When construction is complete in 2028, this I-10 segment will have four lanes in both directions
Baton Rouge’s congested roads cost drivers more than $1 billion collectively and an average of 100 hours per year, per commuter. In 2022, the TomTom annual traffic index ranked Baton Rouge in the top 25 metros nationally for worst traffic congestion and in the top five for mid-sized metros. The data doesn’t lie, Baton Rouge must invest in our transportation infrastructure.
The anticipated benefits of the I-10 widening project extend beyond reducing congestion. The updates to the current design of the interstate will allow for drivers to speed up or slow down in space not used by higher-speed through traffic and increase safety by reducing the number of conflicts between slower-speed and higher-speed vehicles. Lane arrangements will reduce weaving, increase capacity, reduce conflicts, decrease traffic delays and increase safety. We’ll also see an extension to the life expectancy of the new structure. The current structure is 60+ years old, while the new design has a life span of 75 to 100 years. Safety analysis shows that we could expect total crashes to be reduced by 10% and fatal crashes reduced by 13%.
The project is part of a $1.1 billion plan to widen I-10 between LA Hwy 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish and I-10/12 split in East Baton Rouge Parish.
At the close of the 2023 legislative session, $600 million in funding has been dedicated to phase one of the project. The widening will be largely funded through Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles (GARVEES) arrangement where the state borrows money from the federal government, then pays it back yearly with a portion of federal dollars intended for state projects.
DOTD Incident Management Plan
DOTD created an Incident Management Plan with BRPD, BRFD, EMS, and MAP. The plan will be implemented through DOTD’s 511 app, additional MAPS trucks, and presence of dedicated law enforcement. Other mitigation measures include:
- New temporary signal, striping, and sign improvements on existing roadways
- Statewide advance signing on I-10, I-20, and I-49 to suggest alternate routes to through traffic
- Queue detection system
- Potential for an I-12 HOV lane
- Evaluation of transit delivery schedules
- State agency work schedule adjustments
- Collaborating with truck industry for corridor avoidance
Suggested Business & Commuter Mitigation Strategies
Businesses and commuters concerned about the impact of the I-10 widening project should consider several alternative routes and/or modes of transportation such as utilizing CATS, ridesharing, and biking as well as offering remote working or flexible work schedules.
15 key alternative corridors have been identified to quickly move people through Baton Rouge without utilizing the interstate. These routes have been updated with fiber installation and signal upgrades to effectively move traffic. Light synchronization for these routes is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.
- Dalrymple Dr.
- Airline Hwy.
- Government St.
- Acadian Thwy.
- Burbank Dr. ,
- Florida Blvd.
- Highland Rd.
- North Blvd.
- Old Hammond Hwy.
- Jefferson Hwy.
- Nicholson Dr.
- Perkins Rd.
- Siegen Ln. ,
- Terrace Ave.
- Washington St.
MoveBR Traffic Mitigation Enhancements
MoveBR is the largest transportation infrastructure investment in East Baton Rouge Parish history, with over 70 projects slated since its inception in 2019, making our transportation network more accessible to all with the addition of repaired and expanded sidewalks, ADA compliant ramps, audible pedestrian pushbuttons and crosswalks. The MoveBR light synchronization project will synchronize 470 traffic signals in East Baton Rouge Parish that will be connected to an Advanced Traffic Management Center. Synchronization of traffic lights creates a more connected city with centrally managed mobility and real time control of signals to better manage incidents, evacuations, congestion, and construction projects. The project will be completed by the end of 2023 and will be continuously adjusted to move traffic as quickly as possible. Upgrades and enhancements include:
- Real time control of signals
- Traffic, evacuation, and construction mitigation
- Over 176 new miles of fiber optic cable
- Vehicle detection and surveillance cameras
- Flashing yellow turn arrows
- Backup power supply at critical intersections
- Upgrades to outdated equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
DOTD’s traffic analysis found that:
- Current I-10 infrastructure cannot support demand during peak traffic
- By 2032, traffic demand is expected to increase by 30%
- By 2032, travel times on I-10 are expected to increase by 20% to 80% relative to route and time of day
- Post-construction travel times may be reduced anywhere from 2% to 18% during peak travel times
- Mainline improvements to I-10 are a necessary component, but not the only component, in an overall plan to transform transportation infrastructure in the region
Yes, the Perkins Road entrance and exit ramps will be removed to lengthen the Acadian westbound on-ramp and the eastbound off-ramp. Further, the removal of the Perkins ramps will allow a widened I-10 to fit largely within existing right-of-way thus limiting impacts to nearby businesses.
The additional through-lanes provide additional capacity, reducing congestion. Traffic modeling suggests that post-construction travel times may be reduced anywhere from 2% to 18% during peak travel times. This variability depends upon the direction of travel and points of origin and destination, though these time improvements on I-10 do not reflect construction of the other regional mega projects.
Business owners and commuters should expect delays during morning and the afternoon rush hours. To combat delays, flexible work schedules, carpooling, and utilization of alternative transportation (such as CATS and Commuter Krewe) will help alleviate the number of vehicles on the road during these peak times.
Yes. DOTD has created an Incident Management Plan with BRPD, BRFD, EMS, and MAP. The plan will be implemented through DOTD’s 511 app, additional MAPS trucks, and presence of dedicated law enforcement. Other mitigation measures include:
- New temporary signal, striping, and sign improvements on existing roadways
- Statewide advance signing on I-10, I-20, and I-49 to suggest alternate routes to through traffic
- Queue detection system
- Potential for an I-12 HOV lane
- Evaluation of transit delivery schedules
- State agency work schedule adjustments
- Collaborating with truck industry for corridor avoidance
Visit i10br.com for historical background and detailed analysis of the project.
No, but it is a one necessary project in a suite of regional transportation projects currently happening. Commuters need predictability and reliability as they travel on I-10 through Baton Rouge. These improvements to I-10 will reduce congestion and allow drivers to plan their trips with increased assurance that they will reach their destination at the scheduled time.
No. The I-10 widening project proposed by DOTD is the only viable, engineer-approved strategy to improve Baton Rouge’s traffic infrastructure and maximize how efficiently traffic moves through the city core.
Yes. Baton Rouge traffic demand is predicted to balloon by 30% by 2032. Adding an additional lane will help move this demand more efficiently. If we do nothing, traffic congestion will increasingly get worse with each year that passes.
No. Closing the Washington Street Exit will not solve the east bound congestion problem, as only 1.5% of total east bound traffic exits at this location.
2023-2024: Temporary Lane Construction
- The temporary widening of westbound bridge from Acadian to I-110 begins, three lanes in each direction, will last 12 months through mid-2024
- Construction begins to widen westbound flyover towards the Mississippi River Bridge
- Two through lanes westbound I-10 to bridge
- One through lane eastbound I-10 into Baton Rouge
- Begins fourth quarter of 2023, lasting 12 months through 2024
2025: Eastbound Lane Closures
Note: Potential for the project scope and timeline to change between now and the end of this year, as DOTD evaluates lane closures slated for Stage 2 of the construction timeline
- Eastbound I-10 curve closed to traffic for reconstruction, temporarily share the widened westbound facility
- Two lanes each direction, begins early 2025, lasting 12-14 months
2026: Restoration
- Three lanes open in each direction with ongoing construction
- Lasting six months beginning in the 1st quarter of 2026
2026-2027: Westbound Lane Closures
- I-10 Westbound closed, temporarily share widened eastbound facility
- Three lanes each direction, projected for 2026-2027, lasting 12 months
2027: Back to “Normal”
- Reopening of both eastbound and westbound facilities while miscellaneous construction is completed
- Three lanes each direction with ongoing construction, projected for late 2027, lasting six months
2028: Construction Complete
- Four lanes heading both eastbound and westbound
- Projected 1st quarter of 2028
