SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces another milestone for the $361 million project to build a new Jimmie Davis Bridge (LA 511) over the Red River in Caddo and Bossier Parishes.

Beginning on Monday, April 27, 2026, weather permitting, traffic will undergo a lane swap on both sides of the river as the project transitions into Phase 3 of construction (5 phases total).

This will involve shifting LA 511 (70th St.) westbound traffic on the Shreveport side onto the newly constructed pavement, as well as shifting eastbound traffic onto the outside shoulders that were repaired during Phase 1.

On the Bossier City side, LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy) eastbound traffic will shift to the median, and existing pavement will be removed in order to construct a new subsurface drainage system along with new permanent roadway paving.

Phase 3 is anticipated to last approximately 12-15 months, as the new bridge is scheduled to be fully complete as part of this phase.

There are a number of additional traffic adjustments that will take place as the project continues to move forward into Phase 3. Details regarding those changes can be found by visiting the JDB project webpage here.

The overall project involves constructing a new, modernized 4-lane bridge adjacent to the existing 2-lane structure, doubling the vehicle capacity of the river crossing and vastly reducing congestion through the busy area. Plans for the existing bridge call for a transformation into a pedestrian and bicycle crossing to connect to the network of walking trails along the river.