Officials meeting here on Tuesday concluded that a completely new road is needed along the Atchafalaya Basin West Protection Levee south of Henderson.
Portions of the existing roadway (LA 352/Henderson Levee Road) has been restricted to one lane for the past two years due to several dirt slides on the portion of the levee below the asphalt road.
State Sen. Fred Mills Jr. told the Teche News that more than 20 people representing various agencies with interests on or in the area of the levee and Atchafalaya Basin agreed that simply repairing the existing road would not solve the problem and that a new road is needed.
Officials at the meeting included State Rep. Mike “Pete” Huval, Parish President Chester Cedars, Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette,, Bill Oliver and Chris Knotts with the state DOTD, Darryl Pontiff with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and representatives of the Atchafalaya Basin Levee District along with several business owners.
One of the problems with the road is its use by heavy trucks as a detour route when accidents occur on I-10.
Sen. Mills said officials agreed on a “to-do” list in working towards a new road.
CPRA officials will explore funding sources for the construction of a new road; the Levee District will work on obtaining expanded rights-of-way; the Corps of Engineers will secure necessary permits; DOTD will work on planning and design as well as cost estimates; and SMEDA will prepare an economic impact study.
Mills said he felt the meeting had been productive and participants agreed to meet again in 90 days.