What is the status of the Cove Lane-Prien Lake ramp project? Has the sale of the casino under construction delayed or changed the plans?

Work on Cove Lane — a project that was put out for bids in June — is expected to begin next month, said Deidra Druilhet, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

“The upcoming Cove Lane interchange project will construct a full interchange at Cove Lane and I-210, giving access in all directions,” Druilhet wrote in an email.

“A roundabout will be built along Cove Lane at West Prien Lake Road, and Cove Lane will be extended north to connect with a new public roadway.”

The winning bid for the project came from Florida-based Johnson Bros. Corp., which offered to do the work for $38,647,146.64 — or $4,394,604.49 below the estimated construction cost, according to information on DOTD’s website.

Online: www.dotd.louisiana.gov.http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/

Keepers still part of parish park plans

Calcasieu Parish has six parish parks that normally have park keepers on site 24/7 to run the parks — Alligator, Lorrain, Calcasieu Point, Holbrook, White Oak and Prien Lake parks. Now the keepers are all gone.

With no park keepers, who picks up and dumps trash, who checks pavilion renters in and out, who cleans and stocks restrooms, who collects camper rent? Why are there no more keepers?

“The park keeper positions remain an integral part of the Police Jury’s daily parks operations, and there are no plans to change this approach,” Kane Webb, parish facility management director, wrote in an email.

“However, when periodic turnover occurs, duties of the park keeper are handled by parks maintenance crews during transitions.”

Locations for the above-mentioned parks, which are open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. each day:

Alligator Park, 5316 Alligator Park Road, Starks.

Lorrain Park, 7803 Lorrain Road, Hayes.

Calcasieu Point Landing, 3955 Henry Pugh Road, Lake Charles.

Holbrook Park, 1868 Holbrook Park Road, Sulphur.

White Oak Park, 5584 River Road, Lake Charles.

Prien Lake Park, 3700 West Prien Lake Road Lake Charles.

For more information on parish parks, call 721-3540.

Online: www.cppj.net.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

DeQuincy