Detours Announced For First Phase of Jimmie Davis Bridge Construction

The months have drug into years and all the while, motorists in Shreveport/Bossier have anxiously awaited the construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge over Red River.

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As political games were played over the past few years in regards to the funding for a new bridge project, the safety of the old bridge was being called into question on a regular basis.

Finally those funds were approved and now the Louisiana Department of Transportation has announced that the construction of a new bridge would soon begin and in their latest report, we are advised it will begin in just the next few weeks.

The DOTD has announced that the first of five phases of construction to build a new Jimmie Davis Bridge (LA 511) over the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes is set to begin in mid to late May, 2024 with shoulder reconstruction along LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy) on the Bossier City side of the bridge. This work is necessary to be able to accommodate traffic on the shoulders during roadway construction.

Phase 1 also includes subsurface drainage system improvements, installation of temporary pavement at certain locations, ramp construction, concrete median removal along Arthur Ray Teague Parkway in Bossier City, and additional median construction along LA 511 on the Shreveport side.

Phase 1 Detour Routes

Though construction will be underway during phase 1 that involves the removal of driveways along LA 511 on the Bossier City side, access to each property will always be maintained.

Motorists traveling northbound on Zach Avenue will not be able to continue straight across onto Brookshire Arena Drive. They will be forced to turn left onto LA 511, right onto ART Parkway, and right onto Reeves Marine Drive. This is necessary to allow construction to take place at the intersection of LA 511 and Brookshire Arena Drive.

On the Shreveport side, left turns out of Riverpark Church will be restricted to allow for construction of the concrete median. Traffic wishing to turn eastbound onto LA 511 will have to turn right, and then make a U-turn at the median opening.

Additionally, left turns will be restricted for traffic wishing to access Riverpark Church from eastbound LA 511. Motorists will be detoured via the off-ramp to Clyde Fant Parkway, left on Clyde Fant Parkway, and then left at the on-ramp to LA 511 westbound to Riverpark Church.

Jimmie Davis Bridge Phase Construction Timelines

Phase 1 is anticipated to last approximately 6 months, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

Information regarding phase 2 will be provided closer to the start of that portion of the project.

The scheduled completion date for the new bridge is late 2026.

In addition to a new 4-lane bridge, the roadway on each side of the bridge will be widened and reconstructed to accommodate two lanes of traffic in each direction, including a raised median and three new median openings for U-turns. This configuration will improve traffic flow and ease congestion, along with enhancing safety along the corridor.

This $360 million design-build project also includes the rehabilitation of the existing structure into a linear park for pedestrians and bicyclists, complete with plantings, seating, playgrounds, and lighting.