Highway reopened after buckle prompts closure of U.S. Highway 171 in DeSoto Parish
KICKAPOO, La. -- Northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 171 south of Kickapoo in DeSoto Parish reopened early Saturday morning after being closed since Friday evening after a portion of the highway buckled, likely due to the heat.
A portion of U.S. Highway 171 sough of Kickapoo is closed because of a buckle in the roadway. Credit: DPSO
KICKAPOO, La. -- Northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 171 south of Kickapoo in DeSoto Parish reopened early Saturday morning after being closed since Friday evening after a portion of the highway buckled, likely due to the heat.
State highway crews worked into the early morning hours to repair the buckle that pushed up part of the concrete surface, causing havoc for some drivers. Responding firefighters reported at least seven vehicles were damaged and several drivers went to the hospital to be checked out for minor injuries.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office said the damaged roadway was first reported in the southbound lanes then affected the northbound lanes as well.
Drivers had to be rerouted to other roadways until the damaged concrete could be removed and replaced with an asphalt surface.