Motorists are reminded by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development that the project to remove and replace the Linton Road bridge over Black Bayou Reservoir in north Bossier Parish will begin Tuesday, April 20 with a complete closure of the bridge.

Included in the $5 million project is the removal and replacement of the existing structure, as well as the construction of a new retaining wall. Other work includes new drainage structures, asphalt base and pavement, and roadway striping.

Northbound traffic will be detoured on LA Hwy. 3 (Benton Road) to LA Hwy. 162 to Linton Cutoff Road and back to Linton Road. Southbound traffic will be detoured on Linton Road to Linton Cutoff Road to LA 162 to LA 3 southbound.

Due to the location of Benton Elementary School on LA Hwy. 162, traffic patterns will be closely monitored at peak travel times once the closure goes into effect to determine any necessary timing adjustments to the traffic signal at the intersection of LA Hwy. 162 and LA Hwy. 3.

Other adjustments may be made as traffic volumes and patterns change during the project. While some delays and congestion are to be expected, especially during peak travel times, DOTD and the Bossier Parish Police Jury will take appropriate measures to alleviate that congestion as much as possible.

No boat traffic will be allowed near or through the construction zone. This is for the safety of both the boaters and the crews working on the project while the bridge replacement is underway.

The entire replacement project is anticipated to be complete in early Summer 2022, with progress dependent on weather conditions.

For visual information on the  Linton Road Bridge closure and how the agencies involved are working together, take a look at the video found at https://youtu.be/5-lYpANzTbs.

DOTD appreciates motorists’ patience and reminds everyone to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

For additional information visit www.511la.org or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at wwwsp.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the  DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.