Gov. Jeff Landry gives details on new Jimmie Davis Bridge, what will happen to the old one

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Shreveport and Bossier City will be a spark plug for the northwestern Louisiana economy that will reverberate throughout the state.

"It's symbolic of how this year will mark a turnaround for our state," Landry said during a groundbreaking for the bridge held at RiverPark Church, which played host to an overflow crowd. "We are going to be focused on infrastructure in this state, and it's high time we were.

"The new bridge is going to increase capacity so that as this (Shreveport-Bossier) economy grows — and it's going to grow — it will meet our needs," said Landry, who also spoke to a capacity crowd at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce State of the State Luncheon before the groundbreaking.

Preconstruction of the new, $360 million Jimmie Davis Bridge actually began after the state awarded the contract to James Construction Group in 2023, but Tuesday's event allowed the communities to celebrate the project.

"It's been a long time coming," Republican Bossier state Sen. Adam Bass said.

"It's going to be a game-changer for both communities," said Republican Shreveport state Sen. Alan Seabaugh, who grew up in the shadow of the bridge that crosses the Red River and who gave credit to former state Sen. Barrow Peacock for keeping the project top of mind during his time in the Legislature.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and Bossier Mayor Tommy Chandler also hailed the project.

"I look forward to driving on this bridge in 2027," Arceneaux said.

The new bridge, set to open in early 2027, will include four lanes instead of the existing two that currently carry 25,000 vehicles a day.

It also will include the reconstruction and widening of the section of Louisiana 511 on both sides of the bridge to accommodate the new alignment and what is expected to be an increased traffic count.

The old bridge, built in 1968, will remain intact but transformed into an pedestrian and biking structure.

"It's not every day that we break ground on a project of this size and scope," Louisiana Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue said. "It's a gateway between two busy communities, a true symbol of connectivity."

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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Gov. Jeff Landry gives details on new Jimmie Davis Bridge, what will happen to the old one