Construction company wins bid for section J of I-49 corridor

Construction of section J of North I-49 goes to the lowest bidder, JB James Construction. Department of Transportation (DOPT) Amber Leach says that the Baton Rouge based company was among five other bidders to submit a proposal for the 4.25 mile stretch of highway. Leach says the companies winning bid of $49.935 million is expected to be made official in the coming month. DOPT reports that four out of five sections have already been completed. The 36-mile stretch is estimated to cost $622 million. The interstate will link I- 220 in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line. Nine out of eleven sections totaling 35.25 miles of highway are scheduled to open in the summer of 2013. Construction could begin in the first quarter of 2013 with a completion date slated for 2016.