I-10 widening project in Baton Rouge delayed until 2031. Here’s why

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The WAFB I-TEAM uncovered that 22 properties still need to be acquired before the project can move forward.

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While investigating, the WAFB I-TEAM found a number of names tied to the widening project that the state has yet to acquire. Among them were Overpass Merchant, Hollydale Condominiums Association, and Alpine Acadian LLC. The I-TEAM searched property tax records and found Alpine Acadian is a section that runs behind the Trader Joe’s on Perkins Road.

Many of those properties are located near the I-10 overpass by Perkins Road.

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Officials from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) declined to do an on-camera interview, but the agency’s spokesman, Rodney Mallett, released the following statement:

“Because there are ongoing negotiations with property owners, I will not be available for an interview, but I can give you a general update,” Mallet said. “The project is scheduled to be completed in 2031. That includes the rebuild of the eastbound lanes, configuration of new interchanges, bike path, etc., from I-110 to Perkins. Contractors build contingencies into their timelines for a variety of possible delays, but at this point, we think 2031 is an attainable completion date. Now, if there is a global pandemic, a year of supply chain issues, or a summer with 10 hurricanes, that timeline could change. The next phase of construction the public will see will be the expansion of the I-10 westbound flyover at the 110 split. Any changes in parcel purchases have not differed much from the original notice.”

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The managers and workers at the Overpass Merchant told us they were assured by the state in meetings over the years that nothing would happen to their restaurant with the widening. We asked DOTD for clarity on why the name of the restaurant showed up on the acquisition list, but we did not get clear answers. Calls to the owner were not returned.

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