Louisiana’s First Buc-ee’s Faces Unfortunate Delay Due to Ruston Construction Project

RUSTON, La. (KPEL News) - The highly anticipated arrival of Louisiana's first Buc-ee's travel center is facing a delay due to a change in a major construction project in Ruston.

According to the city's mayor, a construction project to expand the road to Buc-ee's is being bid out in December, pushing the opening of the new Buc-ee's to sometime in 2026.

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What's Causing the Delay?

Road construction to the new rest stop is the primary cause for the delay. The goal is to expand the road to five lanes to improve traffic flow enough to handle the type of traffic Buc-ee's typically brings in.

“That’s going to change from a three-lane bridge to a five-lane bridge,“ Ruston mayor Ronny Walker told KNOE News. ”We’ve got to do construction on all the ramps, all four ramps, and Tarbutton Road itself.”

Buc-ee's in Ruston: Clearing Hurdles on the Path to Opening

The journey to bring Louisiana its first-ever Buc-ee's has been anything but straightforward. While the latest delay pushes the opening date to mid-2026, the Ruston project has already overcome significant challenges to get this far. From permits to partnerships, progress is steadily being made to ensure this highly anticipated location becomes a reality.

$25 Million Investment in Infrastructure

One of the largest hurdles so far has been the road infrastructure surrounding the future Buc-ee's site near I-20 in Ruston. With an estimated cost of $25 million, these improvements aim to handle the projected traffic surge—Mayor Ronny Walker predicts the store could attract an astonishing 15,000 vehicles per day. This ambitious infrastructure investment is being partially funded through Ruston’s Tax Incremental District (TID) funds, underscoring the city’s commitment to the project.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) has reviewed the necessary plans and permits for this major undertaking. Construction will include expanding bridges, reworking ramps, and upgrading Tarbutton Road to accommodate the influx of visitors.

It’s clear the city is thinking long-term, prioritizing a solid foundation for Buc-ee’s success.

Collaboration with State Officials

The City of Ruston has been working closely with LA DOTD to navigate the complexities of transportation approvals. These partnerships have been critical in advancing the project despite the delays. Once the plans receive final approval, the city will move forward with securing land and rights-of-way needed for construction.

Lessons from Neighboring States

Ruston isn’t alone in facing large-scale infrastructure challenges to accommodate Buc-ee’s. For instance, Mississippi’s Harrison County location required the construction of an entire overpass to handle traffic demands. These examples highlight the massive logistical efforts needed to bring a Buc-ee’s to a new market—but the payoff is expected to be well worth it.