A $5 million DOTD drainage improvement project is set to begin this upcoming Monday along La. 352.
The project is expected to solve the problem of flooding at this roundabout off of exit 115.
DOTD Public Information Officer Deidra Druillhet said this drainage project will expand over multiple highways.
“It will take place along a section of La. 352 going from about La. 347 to almost half a mile east of La. 349,” Druillhet said. “And there’s also a little section of I-10 as well by that ramp that will be incorporated.”
The reconstruction along La. 352 will include installing new drainage structures, earthwork, asphalt concrete mill, and overlay-related work. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures.
“So, let’s say we may have a stretch of a lane close so we will be using someone to help us flow traffic through that area so that we can get traffic through and keep it moving,” Druillhet said. “There also may be times depending on the phase of the project we’re in where we will need to do a temporary full road closure on La. 352.”
Druillhet said unusual weather conditions have played a factor in the drainage issue.
“One of the things that we have to do we have to adjust, we have to update, and be able to install drain structures that will be able to accommodate heavier rainfall events that we’re seeing,” Druillhet said.
But Henderson’s roundabout off of exit 115 has taken the hit of flooding in the past under the interstate for years.
Mayor Sherbin Collette has his doubts on the proposed project.
“In my opinion,” Collette said. “I don’t see how it’s gonna work, but I can't say more than that. I gotta wait and see. But they told me when they leave there the flooding will be solved.”
His concerns are if this problem can be solved as new businesses continue to pop up disrupting the drainage.
“There’s years we’ve been fighting with the flooding there,” Collette said. “Now we have a lot of new businesses coming there. Now you gotta understand, more businesses mean more cement. So, what’s it gonna do?”
The DOTD said the re-construction drainage project begins Monday November 6th and hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
