RESERVE — One frequently-traveled road in Reserve will begin a year-long facelift starting this month.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, in coordination with Durr Heavy Construction, will begin sub-surface drainage and road widening work on Louisiana 637, locally known as West 10th Street, Monday.

“The West 10th Street widening project is critical to improving safety and building capacity along the industrial corridor in Reserve,” St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom said. “This road is heavily traveled by residents, school buses, 18-wheelers and traffic to and from the Port of South Louisiana.”

Construction, projected to take a year to complete, will begin at Airline Highway and work south toward River Road on W. 10th Street.

Beginning Monday, West 10th Street will be closed to through traffic at the intersection of Airline Highway. Additional closures will occur at different locations throughout the year.

Local traffic will be maintained at detour points, but officials said all residents and business interests located on West 10th Street will have access to their homes and businesses using alternate routes.

Detour and road closure signs informing motorists of alternative routes will be posted, officials said, and flagmen will also assist with routing motorists to proper detour locations. Motorists are encouraged to use the alternate routes that are advertised in an effort to control traffic on local roads.

The parish’s Communications Department will notify businesses and residents in the area of the work in advance and remain in contact throughout construction. In an effort to continue daily services and safety, emergency responders and garbage collection are aware of the construction and have made necessary contingency plans.

More information on the specific location of closures will be released once construction begins, and road closure information will be posted on the St. John Parish website at sjbparish.com, on the government access channel and on the parish’s social media pages.

“We’ve worked cooperatively with Louisiana DOTD and Regional Planning Commission for years on this and other important projects and appreciate their investment in St. John the Baptist Parish,” Robottom said.