U.S. 190 project nears end in Mandeville

Green lights are just around the corner.

Residents, motorists and business owners will be excited to know the endless collection of cones littering the busiest thoroughfare in Mandeville will soon be removed with the completion of the U.S. Highway 190 widening project scheduled for October.

The enormous $35 million endeavor began nearly two years ago to widen the narrow two-lane, derelict highway into a five-lane freeway.

But before the project could begin, $15 million worth of properties had to be purchased. Parish and state money paid for the project with the city agreeing to pay for sidewalks once the highway is complete.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for construction crews.

Soon after beginning, workers discovered the underlying support material of the existing concrete road was not stable enough to bear the weight of a new roadway. The contractor was forced to establish a more solid foundation by adding harder materials to the soft mud. This, Mayor Eddie Price said, tacked on extra months and nearly $4 million to the project.

Other bumps in the road were also experienced along the way, including some of the worst rains the city’s experienced in decades.

But none of the setbacks experienced by construction crews compared to the hindrances imposed upon businesses along the stretch of highway.

The constant work on the highway made it difficult for motorists to gain access into businesses, Price said.

This caused several establishments to suffer severe losses.

To rectify the situation, Price and city officials requested the contractor work after 5 p.m.

Once the construction is finally complete, which should be in October if everything goes smoothly, businesses will ultimately reap the benefits of having a new and improved highway.

The new road will boast two lanes going in both directions with a large, center turning lane to provide easy access into the bowels of Mandeville.

Price expects the completed highway to become a significant factor in the growth of Mandeville.

Currently, Price said crews are 75 to 80 percent complete.