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2theAdvocate Vote to fund
projects possible LAFAYETTE -- The city-parish administration is putting together a list of about $131 million worth of roads, drainage and recreation projects that could be completed over the next 10 years should city voters approve more bonding authority. City-Parish President Joey Durel has said he plans on asking the voters for that authority -- using the existing tax level -- at some point next year. The list is called an engineering and economic feasibility study. The city-parish charter requires that study be published at least 60 days prior to any bond election. In 1997, voters approved a similar measure, authorizing the city to issue $208 million for roads, drainage and recreations. The city has issued most of those bonds by now -- money used to pay for such projects as Camellia Boulevard, the Louisiana Avenue extension and the upcoming widening of West Pont des Mouton Road. But not all of those projects promised in 1997 have been built -- while others not on the list then have. Other projects on the 1997 list turned out to cost much more than expected. As a result, at least $100 million in projects are left on the books waiting for completion. Associate Director of Public Works Pat Logan said that with inflation and rising construction costs, those projects could eventually require about $150 million to finish in the next 10 years. The administration has not settled on a final dollar amount to ask for and is still working on the list, Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley said. The bond proposition could be brought to voters in elections either in April, July or September, Stanley said. Lafayette finds itself short on the 1997 bond authorization for several reasons. For example, the 1997 study listed $13 million for frontage roads along Interstate 10. So far, about $7.2 million has been spent. Completing the frontage roads is included in the draft feasibility study, but the cost has increased to $22 million. Camellia Boulevard, for example, was projected in 1997 to cost $27 million. It ended up costing $47 million. On the other side of the coin, money has been spent on 34 other roads and drainage projects not included on the 1997 feasibility study -- such as the Rue de Belier extension and the extension of South Domingue Road. City-Parish Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley has said that the administration intends on using the new bond authority to follow through on the promises made by previous administrations and councils by finally clearing the books of long-planned projects. The draft feasibility study, which Stanley said is likely to change before it's done, includes $93 million for roads, $30 million for drainage projects and $8 million for recreation improvements. Included in the draft feasibility study are: n $9.5 million for West Willow Street extension. n $22 million for frontage roads along I-10. n $8.2 million to widen East Pont des Mouton Road. n $7.1 million for East Verot School Road. n $10 million for Coulee Ile des Cannes, a drainage project. Durel said Tuesday that the current unrest over the state's budget situation makes it more necessary than ever for Lafayette to continue to fund its own infrastructure improvements. Durel said the administration is carefully watching the Legislature and federal government to see what will become of projects slated to be funded soon through the state, like Ambassador Caffery Parkway South and the widening of Verot School Road. Needed improvements for the Lafayette Parish Courthouse may also be in jeopardy, Durel said. Lafayette was growing as fast as any city in the state before hurricanes Katrina and Rita and has experienced even more growth since, Durel said. Durel said he's "not looking at a new tax," but is keeping his options open should the new bonding authority not raise enough money to keep Lafayette's infrastructure in line with its growth. "We're be derelict in our duty not to look at
every single avenue," Durel said. |