© 2024 Red River Radio
Voice of the Community
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Voting begins to select new paint color for Jimmie Davis Bridge

Alpsroad.net

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development seeks input on the new color for the Jimmie Davis Bridge that connects Shreveport-Bossier over the Red River.

The agency has a laundry list of repairs and upgrades it will make to the Jimmie Davis Bridge, including re-decking, structural work, lighting installation and a new paint job. That’s where the public comes in. DOTD public information officer Susan Stafford says it’s allowing people to vote on their color preference through Survey Monkey and a Facebook campaign called “Pick the Paint.”

“This bridge was built in 1968. So, it has a long history. It is the Jimmie Davis Bridge, named for the former governor. We’re excited to let the people pick the color of that bridge. It’s a major artery through Shreveport-Bossier," Stafford said.

There are eight color choices. The bridge project is slated to cost around $17 million. Stafford says bids will go out in October, and construction will begin in Jan. 2015. The bridge will be closed for about one year. Voting on its new color ends May 2.

Stafford says this is the first time that Louisiana's DOTD has tried to involve the public in a choice like this.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.
Related Content