BATON ROUGE mdash; Ongoing construction along I-10 is changing how some Baton Rouge drivers get around with congestion.For some drivers, the construction has become enough of a headache that they have changed their daily routes.ldquo;Irsquo;m gonna be honest with you, it intimidates the lsquo;beeje ebersrsquo; out of me, so I just avoid the entire area. Itrsquo;s just easier that way,rdquo; nbsp;Baton Rouge resident Karen Babb said.The disruption is also affecting people driving around LSUrsquo;s campus, where students say getting to class has become more difficult.ldquo;Yeah, I mean itrsquo;s been crazy just because on campus trying to get to classes, itrsquo;s a nightmare. So itrsquo;s tough,rdquo; Will, an LSU student, said.Transportation officials say the construction and the congestion that comes with it are part of a much larger plan to widen and rebuild this stretch of I-10.The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says the next major phase of the widening project is scheduled to begin in October. Thatrsquo;s when crews are expected to start work on the westbound flyover.The work will include installing new columns and supportsmdash;the concrete structures that will hold up the elevated roadway.The Perkins Road on-ramps have also been extended by 300 feet. Once completed, officials say the longer on-ramps will give drivers more room to merge onto I-10.While the construction may be frustrating for motorists now, some say the finished project could make the disruption worthwhile.ldquo;Irsquo;m sure with any project, itrsquo;s the transition thatrsquo;s hard because itrsquo;s gonna be wonderful, Irsquo;m sure,rdquo; Babb said.For LSU students, the finished project canrsquo;t come soon enough.ldquo;I think itrsquo;ll be a lot easier when itrsquo;s done. In the meantime, itrsquo;s just not been great,rdquo; Will said.The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says LSU football fans can expect a break for home football games. Crews will not work on the project during those games.Permalink| Comments ...read more read less