(The Center Square) – Around $5 million is expected to be spent on removing debris related to a storm that dumped ice and snow in north Louisiana, according to the state Department of Transportation and Development.
The winter storm hit Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Bienville Parish, Red River, Webster and Claiborne parishes particularly hard. Freezing rain and sleet created hazardous driving conditions, covering roads and bridges with ice and leading to scattered power outages. School districts and municipal governments in affected areas closed for several days.
Portions of interstate highways and rural roadways were shut down because of icy stretches that caused numerous crashes, stalled vehicles and tractor-trailers sliding off the road.
The cleanup will initially focus on the northwest region, targeting accumulated tree debris along state-maintained roadway rights-of-way. A transportation department contractor began work this week.
The department does not anticipate any “major impacts to traffic,” said Erin Buchanan, its public information officer. However, “intermittent lane and shoulder closures will be necessary to allow for debris removal operations.”
Motorists in Bienville, DeSoto and Red River parishes should notice contractor equipment and personnel and proceed with extreme caution through the work zones, the department said.
“These operations will continue until the debris is removed from the right-of-way of the affected areas,” Buchanan said.
