Gonzales gets last permits to build turn-lane project

• By JOHN A. COLVIN
• Advocate River parishes bureau
• Published: Sep 30, 2008 - Page: 5B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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GONZALES — The city received its last permit last week from the state needed to clear way for the construction of turn lanes at six intersections.

Gonzales leaders have designated $1.4 million of local funds to add turn lanes inside the city limits even though the sites are state highways.

“We can’t wait,” Mayor Johnny Berthelot said. “The state moves at a slow pace.”

City engineer Glenn Shaheen said the turn-lane project falls near the bottom of the state’s massive list of needed work, so it is quicker for the city to take action.

With the permits in hand, construction likely will start  this year and will be divided into two phases, Shaheen said.

While utility polls need to be relocated at some sites, other sites are ready to go and will be packaged and go to bid as a single project.

The remainder of the work will be a separate project, he said.

Shaheen expected the turn lanes at all six intersections to be finished by fall 2009.

“They should provide pretty decent traffic relief,” he said.

Berthelot said the easing of traffic congestion is more important than ever.

“We’re a commercial hub,” he said. “We have to make it as easy as we can to get around the city or they may decide not to come back. The (sales) taxes are crucial to us.”

Because of that, Berthelot said the city needed to act instead of waiting on the state, pointing out that the state has not had any major highway projects in the city since the mid-1970s.

The state has budgeted to contribute about $450,000 to the work, Berthelot said.