Community celebrates opening of I-49 at I-220

October 17, 2018

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Photo Oct 17, 10 15 35 AM — Gov. John Bel Edwards joined local officials to cut the ribbon on the I-49 interchange at I-220 Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sean Green/Press-Tribune)

Another piece of the transportation puzzle in northwest Louisiana is in place with the opening of the I-49 interchange at I-220 Wednesday.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) hosted local, state, and national officials with a special ribbon cutting ceremony on the K2 segment of the interstate.

“Normally, we don’t allow you to walk on the interstate,” said DOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson. “We’ve traded our hard hats and orange vests for trucks and cars.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards was on hand for the event. He said the ribbon cutting represented decades of work. He said the impact is that it allows Louisiana to be more competitive when it comes to commerce.

Gov. John Bel Edwards greets Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker at the I-49 interchange ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning. (Photo by Randy Brown/Press-Tribune)

“It’s important to make meaningful investments in travel infrastructure for quality of life and economic development,” said Gov. Edwards. “It’s important to remain competitive economically and we have to keep (road projects) at the top of our priority list. This is not a partisan issue. These trucks aren’t Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.”

He credited the work done by Wilson to complete road projects with minimal funds, adding that Louisiana would need to be strategic and creative about spending dollars on infrastructure projects.

“We stand here today to fight for what our residents deserve — roads and bridges they can be proud of,” Wilson added.

The opening represented the culmination of four years of work. The $142 million interchange is also the largest infrastructure piece on the corridor, which will serve an average of 68,000 travelers each day.

“We can now say I-49 connects I-10 in the south and Arkansas in the north and it’s been a long time coming, but we can say that today,” Gov. Edwards said to applause.

Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04) said the opening of the new segment shows that Louisiana is serious about its economy.

“We’re in Washington advocating for what Louisiana can offer,” said Johnson. “That’s why it’s critical we have investment like this to keep that movement going.”