Traffic snarls around I-20 span
Elizabeth DeGrie, Staff Writer
05-06-2008
With Monday’s grand opening of a $3 million two-way bridge in front of
Wal-Mart connecting the North and South service roads, the North Service Road
was transformed into a one-way headed west.The bridge opening Monday afternoon was not without confusion, though.
Motorists in the area faced a two-vehicle accident at Reynolds Drive and Goodwin Street, a traffic standstill and many people driving the wrong way down the service road.
“It’s a cluster,” said Lt. Curtis Hawkins, public information officer with the Ruston Police Department. “Until everyone gets used to the service roads being one way and gets used to using alternate routes, it’s just a mess.”
The North Service Road had been a two-way since it was built in the 1960s. On the other side of I-20, the South Service Road has been extended and reopened as a one-way going east so drivers turning onto it from U.S. 167 North can travel directly to Louisiana 33.
Hawkins said the main congestion Monday was created on Reynolds Drive and Goodwin Street because many individuals attempted to avoid the service roads and the traffic, which proved unsuccessful.
This South Service Road extension is expected to provide economic stimulus, Public Works Director Lewis Love said.
“That part of town along I-20 is our big commercial growth area, and this is opening it up for people to get to the businesses there more easily,” he said.
During the coming weeks as drivers adjust to the new roads, Hawkins advised people to allow a little extra travel time and use extreme caution when driving on the service roads.
“They really have to pay attention,” he said. “Even if they’re doing the right thing, other people may not realize.”
Many people come to Ruston only semi-frequently, and this could result in some not realizing the changes have occurred, he said.
The I-20 exit ramp to U.S. 167 will close Wednesday for approximately 60 days to tie it into the North Service Road.
Hawkins said this change would result in Cooktown Road and I-20 being quite a bit more congested than normal.
“People are going to need to leave early and be prepared for traffic,” Hawkins said. “It should calm down after school lets out.
“All motorists need to pay attention. What changes across town can affect everyone.”
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