By JERRY LePRE-Managing Editor

LAPLACE – A bid for internal roadway improvements at the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal in Reserve has been accepted by the Port of South Louisiana’s Commission. The lowest bid of $891,057 was presented by Hard Rock Construction for the three phase project which is funded primarily through grants.

Commission Director Joseph Accardo believes that “the internal roadway improvements at Globalplex will allow for more efficiency and inter-connectivity in trans-loading heavy cargo to all of the warehousing and lay down storage locations at the terminal.”

According to Accardo, the improvement project, which is expected to last six months, will facilitate the flow of an expected increase in truck traffic handling cargo at the 335 acre terminal. The overall project involves construction of a new section of roadway and the replacement of roads on the southern portion of the facility. These roads were originally built to handle sugar, but now bear loads equal to interstate highway standards (HS-20) of approximately 80,000 lbs.

The breakdown of the project is as follows:

The first phase of the project replaces 865′ of east/west roadway from the LA Hwy. 637 (West 10 St.) entrance to a 50,000 sq. ft. transit shed and rail spur. A section of this roadway providing access to the rail spur will be paved with 340′ of heavy duty load bearing concrete. It is designed for dual wheel, tandem axle, loading in excess of HS-20 specifications.

The second phase of the project replaces 877′ of north/south roadway from the 177,000 sq. ft. lay down storage area to the ramp of the General Cargo Dock. This phase also includes 524′ of heavy duty load bearing concrete to handle massive cargo movements.

The third phase of the project replaces 450′ of north/south roadway running from the scale house located at the Hwy. 44 (River Road) entrance to an administrative & 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse complex. An additional 250′ of new HS-20 roadway extending to maintenance and projected storage areas of the site is part of this phase.

According to the commission, a majority of the funds, 75 percent, for the project will be provided by Community Development Block Grant funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress. The Port of South Louisiana will provide the remaining 25% for the project.

A future Louisiana Capitol Outlay Project will connect the port’s new roadway system to U.S. Highway 61 at the northern end of the terminal.