Lake Charles, Louisiana - The northbound lane of Ward Line Road near Lake Charles will close for more than a week beginning Wednesday to allow crews to perform essential utility maintenance.

The closure will affect approximately 1,000 feet of roadway south of Louisiana Highway 14 extending to Friesen Road. The work zone will remain in place from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, through 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.

Utility crews will conduct maintenance on existing power poles during the closure period. The maintenance work requires a full lane closure to ensure worker safety and provide adequate space for equipment operation.

Motorists traveling through the Lake Charles area should anticipate delays and plan alternative routes when possible. Officials are urging drivers to exercise caution when navigating near the construction zone, particularly during peak traffic hours.

Transportation officials noted that inclement weather may necessitate adjustments to the timeline.

Ward Line Road serves as a local connector in the Lake Charles area, and the northbound lane restriction will require southbound traffic to share the available roadway or seek alternate paths. The affected stretch lies in a section of Ward Line Road that accommodates both residential and commercial traffic patterns.