Residents Review New Hwy 165 Project

A Ouachita Parish road infrastructure project where the goal is to improve safety on Hwy 165 in the Monroe area, appeared to move one step closer. A second meeting was held in the gymnasium at Wossman High School to give concerned residents another opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns as the project moves forward. The project's improvements on the major north-south artery will consist of sidewalks, crosswalks, changes to existing median openings and the construction of j-turns. J-turns appeared to be the main concerns for residents, as two crossing locations, Louberta Street and Winnsboro Road at Hwy 165 will be blocked from motorists crossing the highway. DOTD officials said that the addition of j-turn lanes typically located in the center of the highway next to the median will allow drivers to turn left to go to the other side of the highway, rather than driving down to the nearest intersection to do so. Officials also believe that crashes at intersections will be greatly reduced. They added that with safety comes greater efficiency allowing motorists to get where they are going in a more efficient manner. But not everyone appeared to be satisfied with the project as it stands now, Monroe city council members Rodney McFarland and Verbon Muhammad seemed to express some skepticism, with McFarland saying that he "was not happy" with the safety aspects, adding that in his profession, he "has not picked up a body" at the intersections mentioned, but at other locations on Hwy 165. But the project appears "to be a go", said Muhammad, adding that "it is a done deal". A date hasn't been set to begin the project, as it is expected to cost between $10-12 million of tax payers' money.