A busy stretch of road could see some improvements, but not any time soon – and that’s if the plan goes forward.

On  Wednesday, The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development invited the public to the SEED Center to comment on the very early and conceptual plans for improving safety and traffic flow along a portion of LA 384 (Country Club Road) from Big Lake Road to McNeese Street.

This stage of planning is referred to as the Stage 0 Public Meeting.

Information gathered becomes part of the feasibility study, according to John Guidroz, DOTD public information officer, district 7.

Twenty-three people were on the sign-in list for the public meeting. Six of those were from the general public, not officials, not with the DOTD or affiliated planning organizations.

One of those was Karen Wheat. She heard about the meeting from her daughter who saw it on a local news outlet’s station Wednesday at noon. Wheat commended the DOTD for the thorough presentation that included large posters and a presentation to show an alternative to the current corridor: a three-lane section of roadway from Lisle Peters Road to Nelson Road and a four- lane section of roadway from Nelson Road to McNeese Street.

Seven intersections will be affected and planners offered from one to three alternatives for improving those intersections, and invited the public to vote for favorite solutions by using stickers. Comments could be turned in at the meeting, but the public has until April 17 to comment. Go to the DOTD website for details or email John.Guidroz@la.gov.

Wheat asked if placing her name and email address on the sign-in sheet for this meeting means she will be apprised of the status of the project and future opportunities for updates from DOTD or comments from the public. A DOTD representative wasn’t sure about that but assured her that future meetings will be advertised two months in advance.

No details, such as when the project would begin, how long it will take and the total cost, can be estimated at this time, Guidroz said. “If the project moves forward, it will be based on the recommendations noted in the feasibility study.”

Next stages include planning/environmental, funding allocation for design and construction, development of final plans and specifications, letting, construction and ongoing monitoring of operation and maintenance.

Funding has yet to be secured, Guidroz said. It will be sought primarily from the City of Lake Charles, but also from multiple DOTD sources such as the Pavement Preservation Program and Highway Safety Improvement Program.