Plans are moving forward for the Frontage Road extension project, which town officials hope will lead to economic development and relieve traffic congestion during interstate closures.

The Welsh Board of Aldermen agreed Tuesday to spend $64,000 to buy land to extend the Frontage Road from its current terminus at North Joseph Street west to the exit near Dairy Queen.

As approved, the town will pay $30,000 to buy 4.4 acres from the Kang family, $15,000 for 1.55 acres from Pat and Christian Hanley and $19,000 for just under half an acre from the owners Dairy Queen to help extend the roadway. Capital outlay funds from the state will be used to help purchase the property, according to Mayor Karl Arceneaux.

“There’s 61 acres in there that’s going to be for sale to be developed,” Arceneaux said. “We really don’t have any property on main street at the I-10 exit that is wide enough to develop anything. I think this is our best shot at economic development and to improve transportation. When there is a wreck on the interstate, it’s going to give another route instead of going through town.”

Property owners have agreed to sell the property at fair market value, or appraised value, to be divided in parcels as needed, he said.

“It’s hard to advertise for businesses to come to Welsh when there’s nowhere by the exit to build on,’” he said. “This way if somebody just needs a five acre or 20 acre property parcel they can do that.”

Construction of the roadway extension is expected to cost $4 million. The town will use its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as matching funds for the project.

Bids for the project are expected to be let by the end of the year.