Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) Secretary Sherri LeBas announced the completion of one of the final projects in the $936 million U.S. 165 TIMED corridor improvement program. The completion of U.S. 425 from Bastrop to Log Cabin project widens 220 miles of U.S. 165 to four lanes from Lake Charles to the Arkansas state line. Secretary LeBas was joined by state and local officials for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
U.S. 165 becomes U.S. 425 in Bastrop, La. The $31.8 million U.S. 425 project widened the highway from two to four lanes. The only remaining work to be done is the $82.9 million Fort Buhlow Bridge project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
Gov. Bobby Jindal said, "With this completion, we’ve four-laned 220 miles of road from the southwest portion of our state all the way up to the Arkansas boarder. That means businesses and commuters all throughout the state will have better access to our communities. Since taking office, we have invested an historic $4.1 billion in the improvement of our roadways, and we will continue to build on this progress and improve our infrastructure in order to create more jobs and opportunities for Louisiana families."
The start date for the first segment of U.S. 165 was in October 1991 (Woodworth to La. 488). The TIMED improvements were constructed in 28 separate projects. Work on the final portion of U.S. 165, widening 5.9 miles of U.S. 425 from Bastrop to Log Cabin, began in July 2008.
"The widening of U.S. 165, which traverses a significant portion of the state, will improve highway safety and accommodate the transportation needs of businesses and residents alike," said LeBas.
