The rehabilitation of the Highway 531 and Interstate 20 interchange project is set to go out for bid in 2018-19. An open house public meeting was held Tuesday night at Minden City Hall.
Representatives were available to answer any questions and explain the proposed project.
“As of right now, we anticipate roundabouts being used at that interchange,” David North, district administrator for Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said. “There are other options on the table, but the roundabout option is our preferred solution. However, the information has been given to the public and their input is welcome.”
Information and comment cards were made available at the public hearing, however very few private citizens attended.
“If a person is not familiar with roundabouts, it can be intimidating,” North said. “But studies have shown roundabouts have a lower accident rate and help traffic flow more smoothly.”
The project’s cost is near $24 million, however several steps remain before the bids can be sought.
“The land where the roundabouts will go will have to be purchased and before that can happen, the environmental study must be complete,” Bobby Lott, LADOTD representative said. “That study should be complete by January.”
According to the public notice, LDOTD is proposing the “construction of four lane roadway with a raised concrete median/splitter island, frontage roads, a widened overpass structure accommodating north and southbound lanes with a turning lane and four roundabouts.”
Constructing an additional overpass will leave the existing bridge across Interstate 20 open to traffic.