Students, faculty and staff traveling to NSU’s Cenla campus should be aware of a closure on La. Hwy 498, Airbase Road, in Alexandria. Louisiana DOTD will close the road at the Union Pacific
crossing intersection near the Craker Barrell, Burger King and McDonald’s. Information on detours is listed below.
LA 498 Airbase Road; Alexandria; Rapides Parish
Mile Post 0.1; Control Section 840-22
DOT # 443-701M
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advise the public that LA 498, Airbase Road, Alexandria, Rapides Parish, will be closed at the Union Pacific Railroad track. The work is being done at milepost 0.140 and is on control section 840-45. The closure will be Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 7:00 AM with a reopening to traffic on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM. The closure is for Union Pacific Railroad to replace the cross ties thru the crossing.
Permit/Detour section
The roadway will be closed completely to all traffic during this time.
Detour Route
The detour will be north LA 498 west to LA 1 north to Rapides Station Road north to I-49 south to LA 498. The detour can accept oversized loads and will be identified with proper markings for the general public. All emergency agencies will be notified of the road closure.
Safety reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Additional information
Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.