The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (Louisiana DOTD) held a groundbreaking on March 27 for a $43 million preservation project that will improve a nearly 9-mi. stretch of I-49 from I-10 to the St. Landry Parish line.

With an average daily traffic count exceeding 85,000 vehicles, the corridor serves as a critical route for commuters, freight movement and regional economic activity, the agency said.

Construction is set to begin and wrap up sometime in the summer 2027, Louisiana DOTD said — with the work including asphalt milling, pavement patching, roadway reinforcement and an asphalt overlay to extend the life of the roadway as well as enhance driving conditions.

The improvements are expected to deliver a wide range of benefits, including reduced vehicle wear-and-tear, more efficient logistics for businesses and freight and improved access for multimodal transportation, including aviation connections.

"This project is about preserving one of the most heavily traveled corridors in our state while also investing in the future of Acadiana," said Eric Dauphine, Louisiana DOTD's assistant secretary for project delivery, in a statement.

"By improving this section of I-49, we're enhancing safety, supporting economic growth, and ensuring a more reliable transportation network for years to come," he said.

Louisiana DOTD added that much of the construction for this preservation project will take place at night to minimize disruptions to daily traffic.