Leesville’s Highway 171 roundabout construction starts April 29

LEESVILLE, La. (WNTZ) – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced Wednesday that, weather permitting, a new phase of construction will begin Tuesday, April 29, on the roundabout project at U.S. Highway 171 and Boone Street in Vernon Parish.

Beginning at 7 a.m. on April 29, both the northbound and southbound inside lanes of U.S. 171 will be closed as crews begin work on the next segment of the roundabout project, identified as S.P. H.011909.

class="wp-block-image size-large">

This phase includes construction of the highway median between Stanton Road and Boone Street, reconstruction of the Walmart driveway turnout, installation of a concrete island at the roundabout, and construction of concrete truck aprons near Walgreens.

Traffic will be rerouted as follows:

• Northbound U.S. 171 traffic will shift to the outside travel lane and circulate through the outer lane of the roundabout.
• Southbound U.S. 171 traffic will do the same using the southbound outside lane.
• The Walmart driveway will operate as entrance only. No vehicles will be allowed to exit through this driveway.
• The northbound left-turn lane into Walmart will be closed. Drivers heading north who wish to access the Walmart entrance will need to pass the entrance, travel through the roundabout, proceed south on U.S. 171, and turn right into the store.
• Northbound traffic accessing Boone Street will use the roundabout to exit onto Boone.
• Southbound traffic trying to reach Red Town Road must pass the intersection, utilize the J-turn approximately 1,500 feet south of Vernon Street, and return north on U.S. 171 to make a right turn onto Red Town.
• All vehicles exiting Red Town Road will be limited to right turns onto northbound U.S. 171 only.

U.S. 171 will remain open to local and through traffic with no restrictions for passenger vehicles. Oversize vehicles will be limited to a 10-foot lane width during this phase of construction.

All other traffic control measures in the area will remain in place. DOTD advises motorists to drive with caution through the construction zone and follow all posted signage.

For more information about roadwork in your area, visit www.dotd.la.gov or call DOTD’s Vernon Parish office.