Ascension Parish Transportation Projects

UPDATED -- Road & Infrastructure Improvements Set to Begin after July 1, 2008 (during Fiscal Year 2008-2009):

CURRENT PROJECTS and Upcoming Future Projects -- 2008-2009

Upcoming infrastructure improvements in and around Ascension Parish, which should begin in the upcoming fiscal year (after July 1), and important projects in planning stages:

            1 – Widening of Interstate 10 from the I-10/I-12 Split to Siegen Lane ($56 million)

            2 – U.S. 61 signal improvements ($4.75 million)

            3 – Overlaying of La. 429 (Cornerview) from La. 73 to La. 44 ($2 million)

            4 – La. 934 (Black Bayou), from La. 44 to La. 431, road stabilization and overlaying ($1.4 million)

            5 – La. 44 signal improvements ($1.2 million)

            6 – Major work will be done on La. Hwy. 73, from I-10 to US 61, including, a 14 foot wide continuous center turn lane, two twelve foot travel lanes, ten foot shoulders, curbs and gutters, subsurface drainage, and sanitary sewer main collection.  This major project is in the final stages of planning.

            7 – Also, major work is being planned for La. Hwy 42, including its expansion to a four-lane, divided highway.  The initial survey for this project is scheduled for June 2008, with environmental and preliminary plans being drawn up in June 2009, followed by acquisition of right-of-ways through the fall of 2009-2010, with construction possibly to begin by late 2010.   

            8 – Overlaying of La. 935 from La. 44 to La. 431 is scheduled to begin in the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year ($1.3 million).

            9 – The overlaying of U.S. 61 from La. 22 to La. 74 is scheduled to begin in the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year ($6.8 million).

            10 – A plan to build an interstate exchange at La. Hwy 74 onto I-10 is in the feasibility study stage.

 

 

ARCHIVED PROJECTS FROM PREVIOUS FISCAL YEARS -- COMPLETED PROJECTS:

1.    Overlaying of U.S. 61 (Airline Highway)

     Bids on the U.S. 61 overlay from La. 42 to La. 74 were received on May 31, 2006.  The lowest bid was $700,000 or 14% higher than original estimates.  DOTD is currently reviewing the bid, but has signaled cautious optimism for the project's final approval.  The Department of Transportation and Development has issued the following information regarding the project: "Airline Highway from LA 74 to LA 42 will be under construction in the next few months.  We will perform full depth patching to the existing roadway as well as remove 2" of the existing pavement and replace it with 2" of asphaltic pavement and topping this with an Open Graded Friction Course.  Some of the advantages of this Friction Course are that it has a higher friction quality, it reduces hydroplaning, and it greatly reduces water picked up by tires as they travel over the pavement.  We will also be constructing 4' wide inside shoulders in areas that do not have inside shoulders.  A sealant will be applied to the outside shoulders to extend their life.  Also, both shoulders will receive ground-in 'Rumble Strips' for added safety.  North bound left turn lanes will be added at Alice St. and at an existing crossover approximately one half mile south of LA 42.  A north bound right turn lane will be added at Black Bayou Extension Rd.  All of the work performed on the project will be between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. nightly.  All travel lanes will remain open at all other times."

2.     Intersection improvements at Old Perkins & Bluff Road

     Overlay of Old Perkins Road and Bluff Road, including intersection improvements with left and right turning lanes has begun.  This project is scheduled to be complete by October 2006, weather permitting.

3.     Overlaying of La. Highway 74

     The overlaying of La. Highway 74 is now in the design and development phase according to the Preliminary Highway Program for fiscal year 2006-2007.  The project is scheduled for July 2007.  Click here for important correspondence concerning La. 74.

4.     La. Highway 621 and Highway 73 Intersection Improvements

     Improvements to the Hwy 621/Hwy73/I-10 interchange are scheduled to be let for construction in fiscal year 2006-2007, to improve the flow of traffic onto I-10.  The intersection will resemble the Highland Road and I-10 interchange in East Baton Rouge Parish with two lanes going onto I-10 from Hwy 73.  This project is sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

5.     Highway 73 Three Lane Project

     Plans are being developed to three-lane Hwy. 73 from La. 30 to La. 74 & from I-10 to U.S. 61.  The expected letting date is 2009.  The original project plan was a three-laning from La. 30 to La. 74, but Rep. Lambert was able to extend the project to include the section from I-10 to U.S. 61.

6.     La. Highway 42

     A study is now underway on La. Hwy 42 to examine options for improving the road.  We have up to $11 million federal dollars that could be used to improve La. 42.  Rep. Lambert favors five-laning the road from La. 44 to U.S. 61.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

1.    Widening of U.S. 61 (Airline Highway)

     The state spent approximately $2.25 million widening and improving Airline Highway in the fiscal year of 2004-2005.

2.    La. Hwy 939 Project

3.    Bluff Road Overlay

4.    La. Highway 933 Overlay

      Highway 933 was overlaid from La. 42 to La. 44.

 


 
 

© 2008 Eddie Lambert.
Paid for by the
Eddie Lambert Campaign.