Westlake, Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will implement lane restrictions on Interstate 10 West at the Westlake exit beginning Monday, September 1, as crews prepare for bridge construction work.
The right lane and shoulder of the I-10 West exit ramp at Westlake, designated as Exit 27, will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily starting September 1, 2025, and continuing through Friday, September 5, 2025. The closures will occur only during weekdays, with normal traffic flow expected to resume each afternoon.
Transportation officials said the lane restrictions are necessary to allow construction crews to safely offload heavy equipment and materials needed for upcoming temporary bridge work on the interstate ramps.
Motorists using the I-10 West exit ramp at Westlake during the specified hours should expect reduced lane capacity and potential delays. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recommends drivers allow extra travel time and exercise caution when approaching the work zone.
The closure affects only the exit ramp itself, leaving the main interstate lanes open to traffic. However, vehicles exiting at Westlake will need to merge earlier due to the reduced lane availability during construction hours.
Construction crews will focus their work during daytime hours to minimize impact on evening commuters and weekend travelers. The five-day timeline suggests the equipment transportation phase represents the initial stage of a larger bridge construction project.
Westlake, located in Calcasieu Parish, serves as an important junction point for travelers and commercial traffic along the I-10 corridor in Southwest Louisiana. The exit provides access to local businesses and residential areas, making the timing of restrictions significant for planning purposes.
Weather conditions could potentially affect the construction schedule, though officials have not announced any contingency plans for delays. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development typically adjusts work schedules based on severe weather forecasts to ensure worker safety.
Drivers seeking alternate routes during the closure hours may consider using adjacent exits, though this could increase traffic volume at those locations. The temporary nature of the restrictions should limit long-term traffic pattern disruptions in the area.
The work is in preparation for construction on a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.