VACHERIE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) marked the start of construction today on the extension of La. 3213 from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to La. 3127 with a groundbreaking ceremony.

            “The extension is extremely important because it is an essential part of the state’s long-range hurricane evacuation plan,” said DOTD Deputy Secretary Cedric Grant.  “The citizens of South Louisiana will be much safer at the end of this project.”

            In addition to Grant, Sen. Jody Amedee, Rep. Roy Quezaire, St. John the Baptist Parish President Nickie Monica and St. James Parish Councilman Elton Aubert also spoke at the event.

            Phase 1 of the 4.56-mile project involves constructing two 12-foot travel lanes from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to La. 3127 via La. 3213. Turn lanes will also be added to La. 3127 at its new intersection with La. 3213. Phase 1 will be complete by the end of 2007.

            Byron E. Talbot Contractor Inc. is the construction contractor for Phase 1 of the project, and URS, Inc. was the engineering consultant who designed the project. The DOTD Project Engineer is Clay Hollowell. The $14.3 million project was let for bids in April 2006.  

            Phase 2 involves construction of a railroad overpass bridge on La. 3213 and a frontage road system. It will be let for bids at the end of 2007 and will cost approximately $14 million.

            Phase 3 will construct two additional travel lanes and another railroad overpass bridge on La. 3213. The letting date and cost are unavailable at this time.

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