Monroe Proposes $80M I-20 Interchange to Separate School and Industrial Traffic

The new interchange would eliminate a congested at-grade railroad crossing and provide dedicated lanes for industrial vehicles.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio still life of a polished, chrome-plated scale model of a highway interchange with a bridge overpass, set against a clean, monochromatic grey background and dramatically lit from the side to highlight the sleek, modern design.A conceptual model of the proposed $80 million I-20 interchange project in Monroe, Louisiana, designed to separate school and industrial traffic flows.Monroe Today

Monroe, Louisiana officials are requesting $7 million in federal funding to build an $80 million new interchange on Interstate 20 that would separate school traffic from heavy industrial vehicles. The project would address safety and congestion issues at the current Millhaven Road exit, which serves two truck stops, a landfill, and major industrial businesses, as well as the nearby Ouachita Parish High School.

Why it matters

The current traffic mix of school and industrial vehicles at the Millhaven Road exit creates daily safety concerns for the high school principal and community. Separating these traffic flows is expected to improve safety and allow for more efficient movement of both school and industrial traffic.

The details

The proposed new interchange would be located 2.1 miles east of the Russell Sage Road exit and include a bridge to carry industrial traffic over the CPKC railroad tracks, eliminating the current at-grade crossing. The project also includes two-lane roadways dedicated to the Millhaven Industrial Park. City officials say the new interchange would directly connect to a 2,000-acre certified industrial site and help attract new business investment, especially with Meta's recent arrival in the area.

  • Monroe has submitted an interchange justification report to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  • The city spent about $35,000 on the preliminary process and is waiting for DOTD approval of a stage zero feasibility study and a memorandum of understanding.
  • Once approved, the full interchange justification report will cost between $350,000 and $400,000.

The players

Ouachita Parish High School

The high school whose student and faculty traffic mixes with heavy industrial vehicles at the current Millhaven Road exit, creating daily safety concerns.

CPKC

The railroad company whose tracks would be crossed by the new bridge as part of the proposed interchange project.

Meta

The tech company that has recently arrived in the Monroe area, increasing the need for the proposed interchange project to support industrial growth.

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What they’re saying

“Any principal would want just to have an area dedicated to where their students and community and faculty can just come and go without having to battle industry, you know, type traffic coming in and out of school.”

— Ouachita Parish High School Principal

“This is not just for the ability to attract one partner, but multiple partners, multiple investments.”

— City Official

What’s next

Once the stage zero feasibility study and memorandum of understanding are approved by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the city will proceed with the full $350,000 to $400,000 interchange justification report.

The takeaway

The proposed $80 million interchange project aims to improve safety and traffic flow in Monroe by separating school and industrial traffic, while also positioning the city to attract more business investment, especially with the recent arrival of Meta in the area.