Plans for a proposed $3.5 million roundabout at U.S. 90 and La. 101 were introduced Thursday when the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development unveiled preliminary designs for the project.

DOTD Engineer Mohammad Nur was among several transportation officials who presented plans for the project, including what the intersection could look like with the planned roundabout, during a public open house at the Lacassine Community Center.

The roundabout will be a first for Jeff Davis Parish.

“The purpose of the roundabout is to improve safety and efficiency of the intersection and help reduce crashes,” Nur said.

The roundabout will replace the four-way stop installed at the intersection earlier this year.

Based on safety data numerous accidents have occurred at the intersection, according to Nur. A three-year analysis showed 18 crashes, he said.

“One of the ways that we can minimize speeding and accidents  is to incorporate a single-lane roundabout at the intersection,” he said.

Nur said about 60 percent of the preliminary plans are complete for the project and were displayed during the open house which encouraged feedback from the public. The comments will be considered during final plans for the project.

Police Juror Bill Labouve, who represents the Lacassine area, is excited about the project and thinks it will be a good idea.

“I think it will be a learning curve, just like the four-way stop was,” Labouve said. “People on U.S. 90 were so used to driving through without having to stop. Now they have to stop on all sides. The roundabout will improve traffic and keep it moving.”

Resident Bobbie Blanchard, who lives near the intersection, feels the roundabout will make the intersection safer.

“I’ve seen a lot of accidents there,” Blanchard said. “I think the roundabout is going to save some lives.”

Paul Stark, who also lives near the intersection, said he was open to the idea of the circular intersection, but was curious about the plans for the proposed project.

“I guess this is just progress,” he said.

Virginia and Claren Jones, who own rental property near the intersection, were concerned about the impact on nearby properties.

“I hope they don’t take that much property,” Claren Jones said, adding that he thinks the roundabout is needed. “I just hope we all can share the space.”

The project is expected to be let for bid in mid-2026 and be completed by the end of 2027.

Nur said roundabouts are “pretty common” these days with over 100 roundabouts across the state, including some in subdivisions.

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Comments can also be mailed to Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Environmental Engineer Administrator, Section 28, P.O. Box  94245, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245. Comments must be postmarked no later than Oct. 20.