Hilda J. Borne
October 10, 2011Dist. 5 incumbent faces duo
October 12, 2011
The gradually curved four-lane road might be 302 feet short of a half-mile in length, but for Terrebonne Parish drivers, the second phase completion of Westside Boulevard marks a major reach between Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard, on a route designed to eventually link La. Highway 311 to St. Louis Canal Road.
“This is a great day for Terrebonne Parish,” District 3 Councilman Billy Hebert said of the project he has backed since entering office to represent this part of the parish. “The biggest thing is the sewer main [added as part of the construction] that will protect residents and businesses from drainage problems in this area.”
“This is beautiful,” District 1 Councilman Alvin Tillman said as he walked the tree-lined roadway for a closer look at the street and parallel concrete sidewalk and bikeway that runs the route’s length. “I can see the walkers out here already. We need more of these.”
As part of a Friday morning ribbon cutting ceremony, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said the clear sky and comfortable temperature was ordered just for this day as a bright moment for travelers.
“This project has been a long time in the making and we get to be here for the reality,” Claudet said of the connecting road that was conceptualized two decades ago.
When it came to working on the $3.9 million construction project, actual work began Feb. 14 and was completed 42 days ahead of schedule.
The design firm behind this project was Houma-based GSE Associates and construction was provided by Byron E. Talbot Construction. “We are really pleased and proud to be part of this,” said GSE Manager Clay Breaud. “This administration moved fast on a project that is an improvement.”
Phase two of this project was 100 percent parish funded and will connect to Louisiana state highway bridge improvements.
According to Terrebonne Parish Manager Al Levron, the entire Westside Boulevard expansion is in the conceptual stage with a funding strategy being formulated. The plan will be proposed to the parish council during the first half of 2012. Full completion of the project is anticipated by 2015.
Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet, left, along with GSE Associates Manager Clay Breaud, Terrebonne Parish Public Works Director Greg Bush and District 1 Councilman Alvin Tillman look at the new stretch of Westside Boulevard as a second expansion link is opened. MIKE NIXON
