I-10 Eastbound Lanes to Close – The Reason, Buc-ee’s

Figures published by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in Baton Rouge show that tens of thousands of motorists use Interstate 10 through Louisiana daily. The number that LaDOTD uses to estimate traffic flow on just a small portion of that roadway is more than 95,0000 every single day. 

That would certainly explain why even a small incident on the Interstate at a key location, such as the 18-mile-long bridge that traverses the Atchafalaya Basin can delay motorists from their destination by hours at a time.  

As the major East/West artery for traffic across the southern United States delays from accidents, construction, or other reasons can not only create a loss of productive time. But these delays can cost many motorists money. This is why transportation offices around the Gulf South are constantly updating traffic information including planned construction projects, delays, and lane closures.  

We have learned that there is a planned lane closure for Interstate 10. The planned closure is set for Tuesday of next week and will likely spill over into a portion of the day on Wednesday. This lane closure will not occur in Louisiana but just across the state line in Mississippi.  It could certainly affect motorists who have travel plans into or out of Louisiana during the specified time.  

 If all goes according to plan the closure planned for next week should not affect normal daytime traffic across the Gulf Coast but could create delays for those who will be traveling in the evening or overnight hours. And yes, the lane closures are because of construction around the newest Gulf South location of Buc-ee's in Harrison County, Mississippi. 

The closure will happen at the Menge Avenue Exit off I-10. It is scheduled to begin at 8 pm on Tuesday and will likely extend until 6 am the following morning. During this time construction crews plan to move some concrete beams and make other adjustments to a new overpass that is being constructed near where the new Buc-ee's travel store is being built. 

LSU in Baton Rouge has spring break next week so it’s a fair assumption that there could be increased traffic from Louisiana driving eastward toward the beaches of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. MDOT, the Mississippi Department of Transportation wanted you to know so you could plan accordingly.  

While the eastbound lanes of travel on I-10 will be closed, traffic will still be able to traverse the interchange. Motorists will be directed around the construction site via Menge Avenue and then back onto the Interstate. This most certainly will add a few minutes to your drive time so do plan accordingly.  

As of now, the plan for the opening of the Buc-ee's Harrison County is planned for later this year. The Mississippi location of the popular travel center will be the closest to Louisiana. Currently, Buc-ee's Baytown, Texas location holds that distinction. But both the Mississippi Buc-ee's and the Baytown Buc-ee's will lose that honor in 2025 when Buc-ee's opens its first location in Louisiana near Ruston on I-20.