Richard happy with road widening project

Published 6:00 am Friday, November 10, 2017

Iberia Parish President Larry Richard has praised the progress of a road widening project at the intersection of Avery Island Road and Center Street.

• The project, which was conducted by the Department of Transportation and Development and assisted by Entergy and Cox Communications, came about when representatives with the McIlhenny Company complained to Richard about traffic problems at the red light at that intersection.

“They called us and asked if there was anything we could do to widen the radius,” Richard said.

After meeting with DOTD, representatives told Richard they would work on getting funding for the project, but poles and lines near the intersection would have to first be removed. Entergy and Cox both worked on clearing the space, and DOTD began work on Tuesday.

• King Joseph Recreation Center in Jeanerette has new floors, thanks to a recently completed project. The project required mechanical preparation of the concrete floor, and the existing coating had to be completely removed by grinding.

All cracks in the floor were then repaired. A moisture barrier primer was applied, followed by an expoxy floory system  that was added as a top coat. It’s estimated that this is the first re-coating since the addition was added to the facility some 20 years ago.

• Pellerin Road Bridge is a structure listed on the DOTD off-system bridge program. The bridge has been closed for five years. IPG is working with parish government is working with DOTD on a project to replace the bridge. On Monday, certification for the project was granted, meaning the project now moves to the next phase which will include selection by DOTD of contract to replace the bridge.

Richard said the project will hopefully be completed in the second quarter of 2018.

• An overlay project on Admiral Doyle Drive near Aggreko was recently completed. There was a section of the road involving a rail crossing that needed to be addressed, according to Richard.

• Iberia Parish Government received a $280,000 royalty check for the third quarter on Oct. 30. The amount was slightly less than the last quarter, but enough to keep the parish on target to meet projections, according to Richard.

• Last year, parish administration had the opportunity to play host to the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation Tour. This year, the parish will help put on the Institute of Classical Art and Architecture Tour.

“We are grateful to be selected for both tours,” Richard said.

Plans are underway by the tour planner to put on a mid-century modern architecture tour in New Iberia. The developing niche helps the parish promote local culture, Richard added.