The project to build a new Mississippi River bridge south of Baton Rouge has entered the environmental review phase, giving the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development one year to complete a crucial step in constructing an additional crossing.

"With some significant measures that we were able to take over the last several weeks, we were able to get the Federal Highway Administration's approval to start that process," DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said Monday, attending his first meeting with the bridge district. "That's exciting. That marks a vital milestone in this project."

Residents in the Baton Rouge area have long complained about the heavy traffic east to west on I-10, which can back up for hours in the event of an accident.

The environmental assessment must be complet

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