New Jimmie Davis Bridge Project Is Underway
Louisiana anticipates the reconstruction of its Jimmie Davis Bridge.
According to the Louisiana Network Radio, ground has been broken on the long awaited Jimmie Davis Bridge replacement project. The 360 million dollar project will be a new bridge connecting south Bossier City and Shreveport. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says the project, which has been in development since 2008, is a big deal for Louisiana.
“This is an exciting day not just for Shreveport and Bossier City, but also for DOTD,” he says. “It’s not every day we break ground on a project of this size and scope. It’s been a long time coming.”
The new bridge will have two more lanes, a median, and three spaces for U-turns; and the old bridge will be converted into a walking bridge. The project will also see LA-511 widened near the bridge to accommodate the extra lanes. Donahue says this project is more than just a bridge, “it’s a gateway between two busy communities, with the existing bridge serving more than twenty-five thousand vehicles each and every day currently.”
The current bridge was built in 1968 and bridges the gap between Caddo and Bossier parishes. This project not only creates a new bridge with more lanes, but also transitions the old bridge into a walking bridge.
“The new four-lane bridge will be a true symbol of connectivity between the two cities, invite renewed growth and development, and represents a substantial investment in our state’s transportation system,” says Donahue.
The new bridge is expected to be completed by late 2026.
