Traffic delays expected with $1.2M River Road widening project

Destrehan area residents will begin seeing equipment arriving this week to start work on a $1.2 million River Road road-widening project.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will add turn lanes along the route roughly from South Destrehan Road to Ormond Boulevard, said spokeswoman Bambi Hall.

Work also includes grading, drainage, milling, paving and patching.

Councilman Terrell Wilson said lanes will be added on River Road at Murray Hill and River Oaks streets, and Destrehan Drive.

Entergy started the project’s first phase with pole relocation, which is expected to continue through Jan. 30, Wilson said. Actual road work is expected begin Feb. 1 and be completed by April 30.

“It should definitely minimize accidents as far as rear ends,” Wilson added.

Wilson said he wanted to prepare area residents about the project and the alternatives necessary while work is underway.

Entergy outlined how it will relocate power poles in anticipation of the roadwork at a recent public meeting in Destrehan.

“We have several poles there that DOTD is asking to remove off the toe of the levee,” said Kent Greene, an Entergy service representative.

Entergy’s work is expected to begin this month and continue to late January depending on weather, he said.

“Obviously, there will be some lane closures, some increased presence by Entergy trucks performing this work,” Greene said. “There may need to be some alternate road closures at certain times.”

There could also be intermittent power outages, but he said Entergy will advise residents in advance of them.

“The biggest impact will be from South Destrehan Road down River Road to Ormond Boulevard and from River Road north of Destrehan Road to the railroad tracks,” he said.

Hall said there is no timeline for detours and closures at this time, which are usually scheduled as projects progress, depending on the type of work anticipated.

She added if any initial closures are required at the start of the project, they will be announced prior to the work.