La. 21 widening
projects to continue

The Louisiana Highway 21 widening project between U.S. Interstate 12 and Bootlegger Road or Louisiana Highway 1085 is still ongoing. Original time line estimates of the roadway project had it completed by the end of October, but weather and rain delayed completion.

In addition, the 55,000 square-foot Winn-Dixie is also a bit behind schedule. At the groundbreaking in May, Joey Medina, regional vice president of Winn-Dixie, had said the store would be open for Thanksgiving if weather cooperated. The new 55,000 square foot store is eagerly awaited by nearby residents and will boost the La. 21 corridor economically as the only grocery store in the area.

In addition to parish road projects on the La. 21 corridor, the state Department of Transportation and Development also has projects that will begin early in 2010. On the La. 21/I-12 intersection, turn lanes will be updated with double left turn lanes from southbound La. 21 onto I-12 toward Slidell and double left turn lanes from northbound La. 21 onto I-12 toward Hammond.

In addition, turn lanes will also be added at the intersection of La. 21 with Ochsner Boulevard and Pinnacle Parkway, adding double turn lanes from northbound La. 21 onto Ochsner Boulevard and double turn lanes from southbound La. 21 onto Pinnacle Parkway.

These projects will be let for bid in February, 2010 at an estimate of between $7.5-$10 million, said Sherry Dupre, spokesperson for the DOTD.

Dupre added that multiple projects south of I-12 involving La. 21 and Brewster Road are also planned after the other project is completed. Multiple turning lanes on La. 21 northbound and southbound and East Brewster Road (into the shopping center) and Brewster Road are all planned.

Long range plans by the parish include four lanes and turning lanes from I-12 to Eight Avenue in Covington, including a widening of the bridge on Tyler Street/ La. 21 into Covington.

An explosion of development from Brewster Road to La. 1085 includes restaurants, shopping and service businesses, many of whom continue to offer specials and discounts during the construction.