Henderson Hwy to be closed for 4 to 6 weeks

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) plans to close La 352/Henderson Hwy/ Main Street at the La. 347/Grand Point Hwy intersection for the construction of a large box culvert.
DOTD representatives spoke to an upset crowd of business owners and residents at the June 12 town council meeting about the plan. They cited safety concerns and time savings as the reasons for the closure.
Public Information Officer Deidra Druillet, Project Engineer Brian Buckel and Project Coordinator Davin Landry as well as Alsey Lockney, the project manager for the contractor, Gilchrist Construction, attended the meeting. The discussion was heated at times.
Business owners expressed concern about the anticipated losses and residents were worried about problems caused by traffic seeking to bypass the area through residential neighborhoods. Lockney said the decision to close the road was not taken lightly.
The job, he said, could be done while leaving a lane open, but that would probably turn the six week project into a three-to-four month one. With the heavy equipment, including a crane, excavating equipment and concrete trucks needed for the job, public safety is a factor and closure is the best option, he maintained.
The project is the first phase of an extensive redesign of the intersection in preparation for the I-10 widening and twin roundabouts that will have the Henderson exit area under construction for the next six-to-seven months, at least. Some of the objections were about the choice to start the work during tourist season.
The project involves construction of a 10’ by 10’ box culvert, which will extend 150’ along the south side of La. 352, by McDonalds Restaurant. It will empty into the existing drainage canal system at that point. Buckel said the work needs to be done to insure good drainage during road construction and thereafter.
Owners and managers of businesses north of I-10 also expressed concern that the roundabout there will limit access to their locations, and could make access by 18-wheelers all but impossible.

Recreation Funds
In other business, St. Martin Parish President Guy Cormier attended the meeting to deliver the news that Henderson’s share of recently-passed recreation bond proceeds will amount to $425,000. The funds, he said are in parish accounts and await the signing of an intergovernmental agreement and an outline of intended use.
Mayor Sherbin Collette congratulated Cormier for his successful efforts to get the bond issue passed. Henderson will also benefit from the $20 million portion of the bond issue devoted to drainage. “I’ve never been so proud of the parish as I am now,” he said.