Aldermen push state for road, bridge work

Eunice aldermen are requesting the state Department of Transportation and Development repair Maple Avenue from Bobcat Drive to the La. 13 turn to Crowley.
Aldermen also included a request that the state expedite bridge work at Bobcat Drive and Maple Avenue.
The resolutions presented by Jack Burson, alderman at-large, were approved at the Jan. 12 board meeting.
“I offer this resolution because anybody who has traveled West Maple from the Crowley turnoff to crossing the bridge going to Eunice High School knows it is in deplorable condition,” he said.
Burson, an attorney, said he once represented the state highway department in cases involving roads in Evangeline Parish.
“I say, quite frankly, I never saw any highways that I defended over there in as bad of shape as this one is in town,” he said. “And, it is one of the main roads leading to the university here and to the high school. It just shouldn’t be in that kind of shape.”
Burson added, “Sooner or later somebody is going to have a bad accident until basic repairs are done.
“I don’t see why they don’t overlay it because I don’t remember the last time they overlaid it and it is a state highway.”
Burson said he sees state highways in rural areas receiving overlays “that don’t have one-tenth of the traffic this road does in a day’s time. I think it is a typical example of the state highway department’s neglect of rural communities.”
At least three prior resolutions have been offered about the road, he said.
Burson noted Phillip DeVillier has taken office and there are three senators representing areas near Eunice.
“I think we need to send them all a copy and follow that up with a phone call,” he said.
Aldermen also approved a request for overlay and bridge work on La. 755 and 3116 to the Department of Transportation and Development.