Mayor Barrow: Delays Building Sullivan Rd. Caused by Sewer Lines Buried 20 Feet Deep

Most of you have noticed that the road work on Sullivan Road has stopped, and workers have basically disappeared. All of this relates to the installation of sewer lines along the east side of Sullivan Road between Hooper and Wax Roads. 

This utility relocation project was let back in April of 2017 by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). As of November 3, 2021, the contractor has used 78% of his contract time and his work is 53.83% complete.

Utility companies such as AT&T, Cox, Entergy, and Parish Water Company have spent the last four years relocating their utility lines in anticipation of the upcoming road widening project. Boone Services, the contractor for the DOTD project, has had a difficult time installing the new public sewer lines on the east side. The lines in some areas are being buried 20 feet deep.  A layer of sand and the water table underground have created complications along the way. The same process of sewer line installation has to be done on the west side of Sullivan as well.  DOTD and City-Parish officials realized the same complications would occur on that side. As a result, they have decided to redesign the sewer line installation.

Several options were considered such as installing an additional lift station. However, that was considered too expensive. Currently, DOTD and the City-Parish are considering boring lines underneath the roadway from the newly installed lines on the east side to the west side and installing enough sewer connections for current and future growth. While this is being planned and re-designed, the work on the installations has stopped.

DOTD is also in the process of redesigning the actual roadway in order to widen it to current DOTD highway standards. The previous plans were prepared in 2012, and highways standards have changed since then. The new roadway will have a median with 3 locations to make u-turns along the one-mile stretch, similar to the section of Sullivan Road north of Lovett Road. 

A large roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Hooper and Sullivan. Sidewalks and bicycle lanes will also be included as part of DOTD’s Complete Streets Program. The actual road widening project is expected to be let for bid in late 2022. This is all dependent upon the sewer lines being installed and completed.