An update on the construction at Kaliste Saloom and E Broussard Rd. The intersection will soon become a roundabout.
The $14.5 million project is expected to be completed by mid-2020, according to LCG’s Public Works.
Traveling those roads can be quite a headache, but officials say although the construction is a problem now, the finished product should come as a big relief for traffic.
“You’re standing at the edge of what would be the future roundabout,” explained Public Works engineer, Mark Lavergne to KATC’s Dannielle Garcia.
With more and more growth in the south side of Lafayette, an extension of Kaliste Saloom is being built so that there will be two lanes on each side of the road, along with sidewalks.
“As you’re coming down Kaliste Saloom at Grand Pointe Apartments, you’ll continue essentially go straight, over the bridge and then through the roundabout at E Broussard Road. You can either go straight, to the left or to the right,” Lavergne said pointing to the map.
Kaliste will also continue from the roundabout and connect to Cue Rd.
Apart from the construction on E Broussard, you’ll also notice a lot of traffic.
“The prime times, like early around 8ish or so and then in the afternoons around 3 to 5, it’s really bad,” said Donna Landry who was picking up her kids from a nearby school.
“It’s pretty hectic, yeah it’s pretty hectic right now. But hopefully once they have the turnaround completed it will be much better,” said Lynette Fontenot, another parent who lives close by.
Many people who live, work and go to school nearby say the traffic at the intersection can sometimes add an extra 30 minutes to their commute.
Lavergne said the roundabout will improve that.
“It moves a greater volume of traffic especially compared to a red light. There was a stop sign before because of crashes but DOTD put in this red light but it’s not as efficient. The roundabout will be safer than a stop sign but also increasing the efficiency of people moving through the intersection,” he explained.
“Hopefully it’s going to help and relieve traffic and make it flow better. Because there are so many neighborhoods that have built up in this area that, again, at those times of day you can have a long wait going home,” said Landry.
Construction workers will begin pouring concrete on the bridge this Thursday at around 7:00 am. Public Works said this may increase traffic so they’re advising people to avoid the area, if possible.
