LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development plans to close Derek Drive at its intersection with Louisiana Highway 14 in Lake Charles on Friday, February 6, 2026, for roadway patching.
According to the agency, the closure will be in place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a four-hour window that is expected to affect midday traffic near the busy commercial corridor. The work is described as necessary to patch the intersection where Derek Drive meets LA 14, a routine maintenance step aimed at improving the driving surface and extending the life of the roadway.
The closure will block traffic at the intersection itself, requiring drivers to follow marked detours to reach their destinations.
Detour Routes For Derek Drive Traffic
During the closure, the Department of Transportation and Development has outlined the following detours for Derek Drive:
- For drivers wanting to travel east on Derek Drive from LA 14:
Motorists should turn onto Power Center Parkway eastbound, then continue left onto Dillard Loop northbound to reconnect with Derek Drive. - For drivers traveling west on Derek Drive:
Vehicles should turn left onto Dillard Loop southbound, then continue westbound onto Power Center Parkway to return to the Derek Drive area.
These routes keep traffic moving around the work zone while crews complete patching operations at the intersection. The department did not announce any changes to LA 14 itself beyond the intersection access at Derek Drive.
What Drivers In Lake Charles Should Expect
The four-hour closure is scheduled during the late morning and early afternoon, a period that can still see steady traffic near shopping centers, restaurants, and businesses along LA 14 and Derek Drive. Drivers in the Lake Charles area who regularly use this intersection are encouraged to:
- Plan for a longer travel time during the closure window.
- Use the posted detours via Power Center Parkway and Dillard Loop.
- Watch for work crews, equipment, and changing traffic patterns near the intersection.
Purpose Of The Road Work
The Department of Transportation and Development stated the closure is “necessary for crews to patch at the intersection of LA 14 and Derek Drive.” Patching is a standard roadway maintenance activity where damaged or worn pavement is cut out and replaced. This helps smooth the driving surface, improves safety, and can delay the need for larger and more disruptive construction projects.
Residents, commuters, and business owners in Lake Charles who rely on Derek Drive and LA 14 may want to schedule deliveries, appointments, or errands around the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. closure period if possible.