$1M street program approved

Eunice aldermen approved a $1,072,000 street improvement program for this year that includes reconstruction of about 3,000 feet of Park Avenue.

The eight-street project was approved at Tuesday’s Board meeting after a presentation by Karl Aucoin, city engineer.

Aucoin said the city can expect the street improvements to have about a 30- to 40-year lifespan.

Streets in the program are:

— Park Avenue from 12th to Jake streets. The proposal is for reconstruction of the street to cost $624,000;

— North 8th Street from U.S. 190 to the city limit, 3,070 feet, patching and overlay at a cost of $135,000;

— Martin Luther King Drive from Faris to Maple avenues, 1,510 feet, patching overlay to cost $93,000;

— Martin Luther King Drive from Faris Avenue to U.S. 190, 1,110 feet, patching over overlay at a cost of $58,000;

— North 4th Street from Camellia to Magnolia streets, 425 feet, patching and overlay at a cost of $33,000;

– Walnut Avenue from 3rd to 4th streets, 345 feet, patching and overlay at a cost of $27,000;

Shelia Street from Lawrence to Nile streets, 875 feet, patching and overlay at a cost of $47,000; and

— B&B Avenue from LSUE Drive to Juanita Street, 1,150 feet patching and overlay at a cost of $55,000.

A major consideration on the Park Avenue project are the trees along the road.

Aucoin, in a letter to Mayor Scott Fontenot, stated consultation with an arborist could be considered due to root issues.

“Due to the existing low tree canopy and height of the construction equipment utilized in roadway constructions, many of the trees along Park are going to require significant branch trimming over the roadway to allow headroom for the passage of construction equipment. This work can be performed by city crews prior to construction or can be required as part of the construction contract,” Aucoin stated.