By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

ST. ROSE — The safety project on US 61 will be underway after the holiday weekend in St. Rose and Norco.

The project will consist of closing five crossovers, upgrading four existing crossovers, constructing two new crossovers, constructing two new turning lanes and lengthening one existing turn lane.

The bids for this project were closed this year on March 30.

“We went with Fleming Construction of Kenner,” said Project Engineer Osmond Hansen. “They were the lowest qualified bidder for this project.”

The estimated cost for this project was $406,000, Fleming construction bid at $466,132.50, which is considerable cheaper than the other bid from Barriere Construction of Boutte who bid in the amount of $1,805,890.82, according to Hansen and the DOTD project control office.

“We are planning to get started right after the holiday on July 5,” Hansen.

Hansen added, “This is a safety project and should take about two to three months to complete, depending on the weather. There will be 30 calendar days for an assembly period and 45 contracted working days.”

“It will stretch around five miles,” Hansen said. “I advise motorists to be very careful and cautious of the work area. The interior lane will be closed in areas the men are working, but there will be signage and warnings along the way.”

Hansen said the purpose of this project is to make the traveling along US 61 safer and minimize accidents.