SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – Tall grass has taken over major interstates in Caddo and Bossier parishes, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says repeated heavy rain is to blame.
Rain delayed mowing equipment
The state DOTD said the rain not only accelerates grass growth but also makes it difficult to deploy mowing equipment.
“We’re not talking about your lawnmower that you push your yard with. We’re talking about extremely large pieces of mowing equipment that can get stuck, can run up, and can be damaged if you put them out there when the earth is still very wet,” said Erin Buchanan, LA DOTD.
Buchanan also noted the frequency of recent flooding events. “It occurred over and over again. I mean, did we forget that we had extreme flash flooding in the city on multiple occasions?” she said.
Crews working section by section
DOTD said crews have already begun cutting grass along portions of I-20, specifically in sections where the state — not the city — is responsible for maintenance. From there, crews will move to I-220, followed by portions of I-49 where the state holds maintenance responsibility, in the coming weeks.
I-49 drivers told grass is not a safety concern
Drivers on I-49 should expect the high grass to remain for a longer period, but DOTD said it does not consider it a safety concern along that corridor…