US 80 westbound to be closed as part of road lowering project in Webster Parish

MINDEN – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, June 8, 2020, the westbound lanes of US 80 at the I-20 overpass west of Minden in Webster Parish will be closed.

Currently, the eastbound lanes are closed, but one lane eastbound will be re-opened to allow traffic to pass through when the westbound closure occurs. This is a total closure of the westbound direction.

The $2.5 million project is lowering the height of the roadway 3.5 feet in the westbound direction and four feet in the eastbound direction under the interstate.

The minimum vertical clearance achieved when the project is complete will be 17.5 feet.

The underpass is located just west of the Louisiana National Guard’s Minden training facility. It’s a haul route frequently used by Minden-based Fibrebond Corporation.

This project will allow Fibrebond’s specially manufactured loads – as well as other manufacturers’ loads - to pass under the interstate.

The project also includes the installation of drainage structures, roadway barriers, and revetment work, is part of a larger committment to create a heavy-haul route in Northwest Louisiana.

The alternate route for the US 80 westbound closure will continue to be I-20, and the transition will occur weather permitting.

Detour signage will be in place.

The entire project is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2020, with progress dependent on weather conditions.