Proposed road would ease traffic

With the 2009 hurricane season weeks away, the Thibodaux City Council is eyeing alternative evacuation routes to help residents leave the city if warranted.

Mayor Charles Caillouet and the council are seeking to build a northeast connector road that would connect North Canal Boulveard (Louisiana Highway 20) to Laurel Valley Road. Traffic would be diverted to the road as an alternative evacuation route to ease delays.

The city council has approved $40,000 from its Road and Bridges Fund for a feasibility study to construct the connector road. Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said the parish would pay the remaining $40,000. However, a cooperative endeavor agreement between the two is required before the city can accept the money.

Council Administrator Jenny Morvant said Thibodaux lawmakers will be charged with hiring an engineer to perform the study.

In other business, work should soon begin to repair the roof of the Warren G. Harang Auditorium, which was damaged during Hurricane Gustav. The repair project went to bid in January, and city architect Thomas Boudreaux received bids in late February.

The city council approved hiring Morgan Roofing Company of Lake Charles at a cost of $35,000.

Councilmen also OK’d work at the Thibodaux Wastewater Treatment Plant after problems arose with its disinfection unit. SeaLevel Construction was hired to repair the unit.