By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

GARYVILLE – Construction of an access road for the Marathon Oil Refinery will cause alternating lane closures for northbound and southbound lanes of Airline Highway, said officials with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

DOTD said the work, which began Wednesday, involves construction of a median crossover and connection of a new side road that will allow Marathon Oil new access to US 61.

The work is scheduled Monday through Friday during daylight hours, and is expected to run until January 15, 2008. DOTD said no work is scheduled for New Year’s Eve, December 31, or New Year’s Day, January 1. All travel lanes will be open on those days.

Although the work will be done during the day, travelers should be aware that lanes are expected to be closed overnight as well. Motorists should expect moderate delays.

Drivers heading southbound looking for alternate routes can take LA 54 to LA 44, and LA 44 to W. 10th Street back to Airline. Northbound drivers should take W. 10th Street to LA 44, and LA 44 to LA 54 back to Airline Highway.