Central Thruway Phase 2 Groundbreaking

The official groundbreaking for the Central Thruway Phase 2 was held last Thursday, May 6, 2010 near the intersection of Greenwell Springs Rd and the Central Thruway.  EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden, EBR DPW Director Pete Newkirk, Central Mayor Mac Watts, Metro Council member Scott Wilson, Former Metro Council member Joe Greco, several Central council members and other personnel were on-hand for the groundbreaking.  With a construction cost of $7.8 million and an anticipated completion date of August 2011, the project was awarded to Gilchrist Construction Co., LLC.  Once the remaining segments of the Central Thruway Phase 2 are complete, a new four-lane roadway with a raised median and shoulders on new alignment will extend from Frenchtown Rd to Sullivan Rd.
 
Construction began April 1, 2010 and consists of Beaver Bayou Bridges No. 2 and 3; clearing, grubbing, and embankment work; and roadway construction from Frenchtown Rd to Sullivan Rd.  The Beaver Bayou Bridges No. 2 and 3 will complete the bridges required for the Central Thruway and includes 655 feet of new bridge construction.  Work on the Greenwell Springs Rd intersection will be let out for bids this summer.
 
Work has already started on the Central Thruway Phase 1 from Frenchtown Rd to Florida Blvd.
 
Mayor Kip Holden, EBR DPW Director Pete Newkirk, Mayor Mac Watts, Joe Greco, and Metro Councilman Scott Wilson are in the different pictures.