LINCOLN PARISH, LOUISIANA — Hundreds of motorists who were stranded for hours — and in some cases days — along Interstate 20 in north Louisiana are beginning to see relief as traffic slowly resumes, state and local officials said Tuesday, though dangerous conditions remain due to lingering ice, debris, and downed trees.

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Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said late Monday that “hundreds” of drivers were stuck in frigid temperatures along 20- to 30-mile stretches of I-20 in Lincoln Parish and surrounding areas, adding that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and Louisiana State Police (LSP) were working to move vehicles out one by one.

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During a Tuesday briefing in Ouachita Parish, Gov. Jeff Landry said eastbound traffic on I-20 is now flowing, while westbound lanes are slowly clearing as crews work through the remaining backlog.

DOTD officials said crews from central and south Louisiana were deployed overnight and early Tuesday, using motor graders, salt trucks, and brine trucks to break up ice and support recovery operations. DOTD said the goal is free-flowing traffic in both directions by later Tuesday, though officials warned it could still take hours for congestion to fully dissipate.

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Officials said troopers from LSP Troop F, along with additional troopers from other regions, remain focused on clearing incidents and assisting stranded drivers. LSP warned conditions remain dangerous due to black ice, which can form when roads thaw during the day and refreeze overnight, making slick spots difficult to see and increasing the risk of sudden loss of control.

Authorities also warned that melting ice has saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of falling trees and limbs continuing to block roadways.

State officials said heavy-duty wreckers were brought in from Pineville, escorted by state police and assisted by the Louisiana National Guard, to remove disabled 18-wheelers and other vehicles obstructing lanes. Guard personnel also helped push stalled trucks off the interstate to restore movement.

Officials said some drivers went to sleep in their cabs during the standstill, prompting troopers to go cab-to-cab earlier to wake drivers and restart traffic. DOTD crews were also escorted in contraflow to reach the front of the backup and help break up the line.

Landry said first responders delivered food, water, and fuel to stranded motorists and worked around the clock — including by ATV in some areas — to reach drivers.

Despite progress, DOTD and LSP again urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, warning that an open road does not mean it is safe. Officials said temperatures are expected to drop again Tuesday night, raising the risk of refreezing.

Landry also noted Louisiana recorded one roadway fatality during the event, involving an unrestrained driver in DeSoto Parish, and stressed that seat belts significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

DOTD safety reminders for those who must travel include: slow down, allow extra time, avoid cruise control, increase following distance, reduce speed in low visibility, watch for crews and responders, never drive around barricades, and always wear a seat belt.

Officials said DOTD crews continue operating 24/7 to clear ice, remove disabled vehicles and reopen roadways, urging drivers to monitor conditions through 511la.org and local updates.

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