Road Improvements Underway in Central

From the City of Central

The new Magnolia Bridge over the Amite River is now fully opened to traffic with all lanes open.  Traffic is flowing smoothly.   Now, DOTD is moving into Phase 2 of the improvements by accepting bids for the intersection modifications at Greenwell Springs Rd and Magnolia Bridge Rd.

On November 28, 2012, DOTD opened bids for the intersection improvements, and the lowest bidder was LA Contracting Enterprises, LLC at $1,229,343.65.  There were a total of 7 bidders on the project.  Work is scheduled to begin in the spring.

The project consists of adding an additional eastbound through-lane on Magnolia Bridge Rd; double left-turn lanes southbound on Greenwell Springs Rd; and double right-turn lanes northbound on Greenwell Springs Rd.  The project is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete.

Also, the final Right-of-Way maps have been finalized on Sullivan Rd between Wax Rd and Hooper Rd (LA3034).   Although this is a state highway, the city of Central paid for the design work and right-of-way maps in order to expedite the project.  The ROW maps have been turned over to DOTD, and DOTD is preparing to begin appraisals on all the parcels of land along this stretch and will begin offerings to property owners within the next few months. The entire ROW acquisition process is expected to take a year.  Once that is complete, the project can be let out for bids for construction to widen the roadway to 4-lanes with a divided center median.    Questions regarding this project can be directed to David Barrow, Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Central, at 261-5255. 

In the meantime, the clearing and grubbing project on the Sullivan Rd widening project between the Central Thruway and Wax Rd is complete, and utility relocations are now underway.  These relocations are expected to take approximately one year to complete, and the actual road widening construction can be begin immediately thereafter.   The entire project is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2014.