• By VIC COUVILLION
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 18, 2009 - Page: 5B

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HAMMOND — The City Council agreed Tuesday to start the planning process needed to overcome a major traffic bottleneck at Interstate 12 and U.S. 51-B on the city’s south side.

The council authorized Mayor Mayson Foster to enter into an agreement with state and federal agencies that officially initiates planning aimed at constructing improvements that would result in better traffic flow in the area.

Current plans envision installation of two “turnabouts” at the busy intersection where rapid growth has occurred during the past several years.

One turnabout will be constructed near I-12 and the other at Club Deluxe Road which intersects with La. 51 just south of the interstate.

The reconfigured roads would ease entry and exit of large trucks that frequent truck stops in the vicinity, Foster said.

The entire project will eventually cost about $6 million, with most of the funding coming from the Federal Highway Administration and the state Department of Transportation and Development.

At the same meeting, Hammond planning director Ginger Fortson said preliminary work has begun on drafting a comprehensive development plan for the city.

She said that when the city’s master plan is completed, it would provide a “clear vision and a list of goals that will guide Hammond’s growth into the future.”

Fortson said experts from the planning firm, Dover, Kohl & Partners, of Miami, visited Hammond recently and completed a preliminary survey of the city.

Fortson said the team of professional municipal planners would return to Hammond on Dec. 4 to begin several days of meetings with residents to gather opinions about what is anticipated for Hammond’s future.

The next day, Dec. 5, the planning team will conduct a lengthy set of meetings with interested residents at the Michael J. Kenny Center, also referred to as the Recreation Center, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

She urged Hammond residents to attend this gathering and provide input for the planners.

The planning team will continue working from Dec. 6-8 and on Dec. 9 will present a “work in progress” report from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hammond City Council chambers.