DOTD No Longer Plans to Close 49 in Shreveport, LA

Yesterday afternoon, the National Weather Service upgraded the weather forecast for Shreveport, Louisiana from a 'Winter Storm Watch' to a 'Winter Storm Warning'. Basically, the difference being is that conditions are favorable for bad weather to you're going to see some bad weather.

Following that upgrade, a couple major announcements were made. Some state offices announced they would close today (Thursday January 9th), some colleges announced they would be closing. DOTD also announced that they would be closing a major portion of I-49 through the 'urban section'.

However, as the storm shifted and storm models were updated, it seems that most severe weather conditions appear they're going to miss us. Which is why DOTD has updated their plan for I-49.

According to a press release sent out by a spokesperson for DOTD, they are no longer planning to shut down I-49 today. However, as it is pointed out, the forecast and conditions keep shifting so that plan may once again change if conditions or the forecast worsen. Below is the full statement from DOTD:

As an update to the yesterday evening’s announcement regarding I-49 in Shreveport, DOTD will not be closing the ‘urban’ section of I-49 (from Bert Kouns to I-20) this morning as previously planned. This decision is based on continued fluctuations in the forecast, which has remained uncertain over the course of the last several days. We will continue to closely monitor the weather and remain in contact with the National Weather Service via their emergency briefings. 

DOTD does currently have scouts out monitoring the condition of bridges and overpasses as precipitation moves into the area, and those crew members will report back their observations. Additionally, field crews are on standby and ready to apply additional treatment to elevated sections of roadway as necessary. Bridges and overpasses on state highways/interstates across the 7 parish northwest region were pre-treated yesterday with brine. 

In the event DOTD deems it necessary to close I-49 urban in Shreveport, that will be information will be provided via MyDOTD, which is the manner in which we issue all forms of communication.