What you should know about ‘concrete blow-ups’ on Louisiana roadways

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — As extreme heat continues in our area, parts of Interstate 49 in Shreveport are buckling, raising safety concerns. The Louisiana Department of Transportation is warning drivers about concrete “blow-ups”.

Concrete blow-ups happen when roads buckle under extreme heat. The DOTD states that the expansion of concrete panels in hot weather can cause joints to pop, creating hazardous road conditions without warning.

Crews have already repaired several areas along Interstate-220. Now, they’re preparing to fix a buckle that is causing headaches for drivers along the southbound lanes of I-49 near the Bert Kouns exit.

“We’re going to have to remove all of that damaged concrete and repave the area, so it’s a pretty large operation. We’re going to have some lane closures in place starting Monday, the 21st. It’ll take us a few days to get all of it done,” said Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan Mills. “We’re going to try to keep traffic flowing as much as possible through there, but the main priority, of course, is for us to get that damaged area repaired.”

DOTD urges drivers to stay alert and use caution in affected areas.