By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – In an effort to alleviate traffic at the entrance to Destrehan High School, the St. Charles Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution to study the possibility of installing center turn lanes.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will promptly begin studying the area to analyze whether center lanes are feasible at the corner of Schexnayder Lane and Highway 48. If center lanes are installed, Highway 48 will be widened on the levee side without eliminating any part of the roadway, according to Council Member Richard &#8220Dickie” Duhe.

&#8220Everyone agreed it’s something we need,” Duhe said. &#8220We also need to look at a whole lot of other locations. Our parish is growing and we’re having such an increase in traffic on highways at peak times,” said Duhe, whose similar proposed resolution five years ago resulted in a new center lane on Murray Hill Drive.

No timeline is set for the study’s completion.

In other business, the council unanimously passed an ordinance that allows the Des Allemands Volunteer Fire Department to borrow $920,000 in bonds from St. Charles Parish to construct an addition to its current facility at 16960 Highway 90.

The Des Allemands Volunteer Fire Department initially sought funds from a private bank, but by borrowing bonds they will save St. Charles Parish a few hundred dollars, according to Council Member Derryl Walls.

The addition will nearly double the space of the current facility and will benefit nearby homeowners’ insurance ratings.

Construction should be completed in approximately four to five months.