DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (AP) A project to widen Interstate 12 from four to six travel lanes in Livingston Parish came in under budget, so the state will use the savings to widen an extra 2 to 3 mi. (3 to 4.8 km) stretch beyond the initial plans.

Gov. Bobby Jindal broke ground Dec. 14 on the $22 million construction project and announced the additional expansion work, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2013. The money will pay for the widening of more than 5 mi. (8 km) of the interstate.

Already under way are two projects, totaling $136 million, to widen the interstate on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, expected to be finished in 2012.

When all the projects are complete, I-12 will have six travel lanes from Baton Rouge to nearly Satsuma, according to Jindal’s office.

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