By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
During the Bossier Parish Police Jury meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, Tim James, representing Alabama-based Tim James Inc. (TJI), presented a critical update on the much-anticipated Red River Express (RRE) project. The privately funded toll bridge and connecting roadways aim to revolutionize transportation in southern Caddo and Bossier parishes.
The RRE is a proposed nine-mile transportation corridor designed to connect LA 3132 at LA 523 (E. Flournoy Lucas Road) to LA 1 and extend to U.S. 71 via a toll bridge over the Red River. The project is poised to enhance regional connectivity, offering improved access to key infrastructure, including the Caddo-Bossier Port, I-49, I-20, and the forthcoming I-69 service road.
Key Benefits of the RRE:
- Improved Travel Efficiency: Reduces traffic interruptions and commute times for thousands of daily commuters.
- Enhanced Economic Development: Boosts opportunities by connecting vital commercial and residential areas.
- Increased Safety: Decreases emergency response times and improves traffic flow.
- Community Connectivity: Links communities in Caddo and Bossier parishes.
The RRE will feature a 200-foot right-of-way to accommodate potential future expansion, ensuring capacity for additional lanes. While all connecting roadways to the toll bridge will remain free of charge for public use, tolls will apply exclusively to the Red River bridge, providing an optional route to existing free alternatives.
With an estimated cost of $115 million, the project allocates two-thirds of its funding to non-tolled public roadways and one-third to the toll bridge. Crucially, no state or local government funding is being requested, emphasizing the project’s private financing model. Public vehicles, including emergency and first-responder vehicles, will be exempt from tolls.
The RRE project is governed by a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with Bossier and Caddo parishes, ensuring compliance with Louisiana state law. The partnership underscores the commitment to fostering economic growth and addressing regional transportation challenges.
A key benefit of the project is its potential to reduce congestion along E. Flournoy Lucas Road (LA 523) and Youree Drive (LA 1), offering commuters an alternative route to bypass train blockages at the LA 523 and LA 1 intersection.
Construction on the RRE is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025. Once complete, the toll bridge is expected to significantly alleviate traffic burdens and improve regional mobility.
As the project progresses, local leaders and residents alike are hopeful that the Red River Express will deliver on its promise to transform transportation across southern Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Additional Meeting News
Also during the police jury meeting, former Haughton Mayor Kim Gaspard was sworn in as interim District 1 police juror replacing Robert John “Bob” Brotherton, Jr., who passed away early Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.