By BROOKE GOLDMAN

LAPLACE – Construction on the LaPlace section of Interstate 10 is almost complete, with just a few minor technicalities to be worked out.

The Interstate, built in the 1960’s, was 10 years overdue for construction because it was designed to only last 20 years, said Michael Ricca, Assistant District 62 Construction Engineer.

“Construction was completed two and half weeks ago,” said Ricca. “We are just cleaning up the details and we have to reinstall the call boxes.”

According to Ricca, the existing concrete on the road was overlaid with six inches of asphalt concrete. This was done “to improve the ride,” he said.

Construction began Sept. 21 and cost approximately $7 million for the four mile stretch and some minor work done on the Three Mile Bridge.

“The interstate is the least traveled road,” said Ricca. “There is ongoing funding for sections of it, from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.”

“We have done several sections and we try to start with the worst sections first,” added Ricca.

Ricca said traffic moved fairly well during the construction period but drivers only had access to one lane on the Interstate.

“Traffic varies of course,” said Ricca. “If you happened to be there at the wrong time, then you got stuck.”

The three accidents involving 18 wheelers in the last two weeks had no effect on the construction because they were not within construction limits, said Ricca.

Barriere Construction finished the project a month ahead of schedule and Ricca said there is no new construction scheduled on I-10 in 2002.

“We had minor repairs for how old the Interstate is,” said Ricca.

Construction on Interstate 55 is scheduled for the upcoming year, which will be similar to the work done on Interstate 12. Ricca said the concrete on I-55 in Hammond will be crushed and approximately nine inches of asphalt will be laid down over it. They are using more asphalt because the road is in worse shape than I-10.