By John Guidroz

jguidroz@americanpress.com

The first phase of extending Ham Reid Road is expected to begin construction within the next three months, Calcasieu Parish officials said following Thursday’s Police Jury meeting.

Police jurors accepted the low bid of $10.45 million by the Anacoco-based Apeck Construction. Tim Conner, parish engineer, said the work includes a roundabout at the intersection of Ham Reid and Elliott roads and extending Ham Reid Road about 0.9 miles west toward Big Lake Road.

Conner said the road extension is needed to accommodate the growth in the area.

“I anticipate that this probably will relieve some of the congestion on Country Club Road because you see people taking the parallel route,” he said.

The second phase of work at Big Lake Road is awaiting approval by the state Department of Transportation and Development, Conner said. It includes a roundabout that will tie Big Lake Road in with Ham Reid Road.

“We expect (phase two) to begin construction before the end of phase one is complete,” he said.

Conner said roughly $900,000 in sewer extensions are also planned for the Ham Reid Road project. That work is being paid for by the city of Lake Charles, he said.

Water district

Police jurors also accepted the low bid of $5.85 million by Tullier Services of Plaquemines to expand the Mallard Junction water treatment and distribution plant east of Lake Charles. The project is intended to fill the growing demand for the roughly 1,700 customers in Waterworks District 5 of Wards 3 and 8.

Allen Wainwright, parish public works director, said this phase of the expansion is the largest because it focuses solely on the water treatment and distribution plant on Deshotel Lane, off Opelousas Street.

Terry Frelot, who oversees operations in the water district, said the improvements include a new water well, filter, upgraded service pumps, a new maintenance building, chemical buildings, labs and electrical work. The expansion will raise the daily treatment capacity from 1.15 million gallons to 2.3 million gallons, he said.

The project is expected to take up to two years to finish. The water district has been operating since 1978, with the Police Jury serving as its governing authority since 2012.

Frelot said plans are being finalized for another phase of work, which includes installing a 12-inch water line along La. 397 from U.S. 90 south to McCown Road and tying it into the water tower on James Sudduth Parkway. Installation of water lines to connect Boys Village and Canal roads is near completion, he said.

The project is being funded through the Health Department’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program. Estimated annual loan payments are $550,000 over a 20-year period. The department will forgive up to $500,000 in debt once construction is complete.