DOTD holds public meeting about widening section of I-20 in West Monroe

WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD)–The Department of Transportation and Development had an open meeting for the public to weigh in and learn about a proposed new construction project. Fox 14’s Joel Massey joins us live in the studio and has more on the new project.

Currently, it’s just a proposal to widen a portion of I-20 in West Monroe from the Stella / Mill exit to the Well Road exit and DOTD wanted to have this meeting to provide information to the public as well as get feedback from them.

Erin Buchanan with DOTD is excited about a new project that will make a portion of I-20 in West Monroe a six-lane roadway.

“Right now we’re experiencing congestion and bottlenecks and delays in people’s commutes and so the goal is to be more efficient with the way people are moving along the interstate system.”

Project engineers and others from DOTD were on hand to answer questions from the public, several who had homes next to the proposed expansion. It was also important for DOTD to hear from the people.

“That’s why we hold these meetings is to learn what they want what they don’t want, what is important to them in relation to the project and so all that is taken into consideration, and it’s recorded, officially recorded as part of the transcript to this public meeting.”

The project is in the environmental phase of development which is a federal process to ensure that the work does not overly negatively impact the environment which includes current structures and homes, businesses, natural habitats, waterways or wildlife.

The current plan includes a noise barrier to shield some apartments and houses from the additional traffic that will be using the interstate.

West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell says this project has been a long time coming.

“We’ve been hearing about it and talking about this project now for 2 years. So it’s just really good to see it off the ground continuing to progress and appreciate the investment in Northeast Louisiana.”

Buchanan says the local people that will use the interstate the most are paramount in decision-making about the project.

“Those are the users that’s what we’re here for, that’s why we’re doing this project, proposing this project is for the community for the people who live here and use the interstate every day.”