By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

GRAMERCY – After breaking ground on the project nearly two years ago, the first phase of a $28 million extension of La. 3213 is almost ready for vehicle traffic.

Representatives from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said the final snag in the extension project, which will extend La. 3213 from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to La. 3127, is with Entergy, who needs to install power lines along a two-mile stretch of the expansion.

“As far as construction of the lanes, the project is complete on our end,” said Amber Hebert, public information officer for DOTD. “We are simply awaiting word from Entergy that the lines have been installed.”

Hebert said DOTD has laid down two 12-foot travel lanes, which run about 4.56 miles, between the bridge and La. 3127. She said phase I also included installation of turning lanes along La. 3127 at the new intersection. She said once the lines have been installed, the road would be open for travel.

Sheila Butler, customer service manager for Entergy in St. John and St. James Parishes, said that the company has worked to clear land to make way for the lines. She said Entergy had been dealing with issues regarding a right-of-way, which had just recently gotten clearance.

“We have ordered the materials and lined up special equipment to be used in the construction,” said Butler. “This job is a priority, and we will work as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Butler said Entergy ordered roughly 60 poles to hang the lines. She said the lines would run from the bridge to a span of railroad tracks about two miles away. Estimated date of completion is set for the first week of June.

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“We are not anticipating any serious delays, so we should see traffic on the road by the beginning of the summer,” said Butler.

Officials with DOTD said that the extension has been a desperate need in St. James Parish for quite some time, since it is an essential part of the state’s long-range hurricane evacuation plan.

“It will give the residents of the area another option regarding a route out of town in the event of a storm,” said Grant. “The citizens of South Louisiana will be much safer at the end of this project.”

The expansion will provide an alternative to motorists should a hurricane threaten the region. Drivers will now have the choice of using US 61, La. 3127, or Interstate 10. The new road will serve as a link between the major thoroughfares.

The Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River opened in 1995, but since then drivers crossing to the west side had to immediately exit at River Road. The extension will provide for easier access to Vacherie, Thibodaux, and U.S. 90 through west St. Charles Parish.

Hebert said future phases of the project involve construction of a railroad overpass bridge on the recently completed lanes, as well as construction of two additional travel lanes. She said there is presently no timetable for completion of future phases.