Abbeville mayor explains DOTD Road Transfer Proposal

The City of Abbeville is working on a road improvement plan for downtown and beyond.
The city is working with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) on a plan to prioritize road repairs and also transfer the authority over some streets back into the hands of local government.
The DOTD established tje Road Transfer Program as the means to right-size the State Highway System. The Program involves transferring roads that no longer fit the state’s role in the highway network, with the money, to local governments. Participation in the Program is voluntary. Roads are repaired prior to transfer and the receiving local governments will be credited for 40 years of routine and capital maintenance which can be applied to any highway capital project(s).
“We are currently working on a plan to accept select state highways, south of LA HWY 14 ‘Bypass’ from DOTD, in a phased approach, as funding is appropriated,” stated Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White.
Under the proposed plan, the city would take in a total of 6.8 miles of state roadways, with improvements into the local road system in a multi-year approach. It also places approximately 5.8 additional miles of local streets in line for future overlay by utilizing state maintenance credits.
Street selection is based on DOTD minimum size requirements and priorities are set according to current road condition. The city is waiting on DOTD to finalize the full agreement, which will include flexibility to add, remove or re-prioritize streets, as needed, until construction is funded. The complete agreement will improve approximately 12 miles of streets in the city limits over an estimated 8 years period. The city estimates around 5.6 million in road transfer credits as part of the agreement.
“It was important to us that all districts see improvements as part of the agreement,” said Mayor White.
The deal also removes DOTD authority from all of downtown as well as other areas of the city.
“As local leaders, we are acutely aware of the issues within our community, and have the ability to respond to concerns quicker,” stated Mayor White. “With proper planning, we can budget local dollars and find additional funding sources to leverage our resources for capital improvements. This program gives local government greater autonomy, which is a win for our community.”
In addition to Road Transfer Program, the Council and Mayor are working with legislators and other sources to leverage local funds for further road improvements including submitting applications for a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant for District D, and State Capital Outlay. “We have expressed the need to prioritize roads to our legislators, and they have worked hard to help, I am hopeful our combined efforts will be fruitful.” continued Mayor White.

NOTES:

Current State highways within City limits-

• Bypass (14 Business per DOTD) *Will remain a state highway
• Hwy 167 (including Park Avenue) *Will remain a state highway
• Hwy 335 (S Henry) *Will remain a state highway
• Hwy 14 (through downtown) from to Culpepper’s to Lowes *Will become local streets in phases
• W Port
• Pere Megret
• Around Square
•Concorde
• Around the Courthouse
• Charity Street to the Bypass
• Hwy 82 *parts inside the city limit will become local street
• N State Street
•N St Charles
• S State Street
• Hwy 338 *Will become a local street
• N John Hardy Drive between the bypass and Charity

• Phase 1 Transfer includes Highway 14 through downtown- beginning at Main Street, includes around Magdalen Square, Concorde Street, around the courthouse to one block east of courthouse (Louisiana Street).
• Possible additions to Phase 1, pending funding approval:
• Hwy 82 from the bypass to the southern city limits (N State Street, N St Charles and S State St)
• LA 338 (N John Hardy) from LA 14 (Bypass) to LA 14 Business (Charity)

• Additional Phases will be transferred in the future, as construction funding is appropriated.
• LA 14, west of the river (W Port Street)
• LA 14 east of Louisiana St (Charity Street)