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Construction to begin Oct. 14

On Monday, Oct. 14, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will begin construction on West California Avenue (Highway 80) in Ruston.

This construction will include curb repair, handicap ramp addition and repair, and patching and resurfacing the road. It will begin near the Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and will continue to South Vienna Street (Highway 167 North).

As it is being conducted during the daytime, this project will involve periods of lane closures and changes. We know traffic will be slow in this area throughout the project. Its completion time will largely depend on weather conditions.

The Louisiana Tech campus will likely have to make changes in traffic patterns during certain portions of the project. In addition, traffic around A.E. Phillips School during drop-off and pick-up times will be adjusted when the highway is closed near Bond Street.

After the construction is completed, Ruston will have a smoother highway throughout much of the city. DOTD is also seeking our input on the addition and improvement of crosswalks near campus, and these will help students, faculty, and staff walk more safely across California Avenue.

We ask your patience during the construction. DOTD will keep our Police Department and Facilities staff updated on the project, and they will notify students, faculty, and staff through text messages and emails about closures so that you can make plans to avoid closures and delays. If you have a student at A.E. Phillips, you will also receive communication from the school related to traffic changes.

You can also use the myDOTD website to find up-to-date information about projects in the area.