The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that work on the new Jimmie Davis Bridge (LA 511) over the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes is progressing well, with the temporary trestle bridge now complete and being utilized for the placement of equipment for construction purposes.
The contractor is driving pile on the new structure, which will form the foundations for the future bridge, connecting the growing communities of south Bossier City and Shreveport.
In addition to bridge construction, Jimmie Davis Hwy/E. 70th St. (LA 511) is also in the process of being widened and realigned on both sides of the river in order for the roadway to appropriately connect with the new 4-lane bridge. This involves extensive dirt work and drainage improvements from just west of Riverpark Church in Shreveport to Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City.
Also, over the next six months, drivers are advised to expect intermittent road closures on the Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport and the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway in Bossier City, both closures located at the Jimmie Davis Bridge interchanges.
These closures are to allow for the movement of construction equipment across the roadway, and will take place in brief intervals lasting no longer than about 15 minutes during non-peak travel times. These operations should have minimal impact to traffic in the area.
The future 4-lane bridge will take the place of the existing 2-lane structure, doubling the capacity of the river crossing, which currently services approximately 30,000 vehicles per day on average.
The roadway approaches on LA 511 will also be reconstructed to enhance traffic flow and improve safety along the densely populated corridor, particularly on the Bossier City side of the river.
The new bridge is expected to be open to traffic in early 2027, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.
For more information, be sure to visit the Jimmie Davis Bridge project webpage.