BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Frustration is mounting as changes to the Intracoastal Bridge are causing headaches for drivers. Traffic is being rerouted from the old northbound and southbound bridges onto the new structures, but the shift hasn’t been as smooth as many had hoped. Baton Rouge community prepares for Hanukkah According to Rodney Mallett, Communications Director for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), some confusion is to be expected during a transition of this scale. “Anytime your driving pattern changes, there will be some confusion,” Mallett said. The new Intracoastal Bridges, located on LA-1 heading into Baton Rouge, are designed to ease congestion and improve safety. The bridges now feature wider lanes and shoulders, offering a significant upgrade compared to the older infrastructure. “There’s plenty of signage, it’s striped properly, and if people pay attention to the signage, it should limit the confusion,” Mallett said. DOTD says the long-term benefits of the new bridges outweigh the temporary frustrations. The updated design promises improved traffic flow, reduced delays, and fewer shutdowns for repairs, which Mallett emphasized will benefit the community. “It’s going to be safer. We’re not going to have to shut it down to make repairs like we’ve had to do so many times. It’s just going to be a lot better for that community,”Mallett said. While the current traffic configuration is expected to remain in place until mid-2025, the project isn’t yet completed until 2027. The old bridges will eventually be demolished as part of the plan. In the meantime, DOTD urges drivers to remain patient and vigilant during their commutes. “Pay attention to the signs. I always say that people need to not drive distracted. Put the phone down, pay attention to the signs, wear your seatbelt, and be patient with other drivers,” Mallett said. Drivers should expect ongoing adjustments as construction progresses, but officials are confident that the improvements will lead to safer and more efficient travel for all.