Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden will host a groundbreaking for the Central Thruway Phase I Paving project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in the project right-of-way with parking provided at the groundbreaking site (see attachment). The ceremony, previously scheduled for August 5, 2010 but postponed due to inclement weather, marks the start of construction on the 27th Green Light Plan roadway project.
“Construction of the Central Thruway continues to move forward as we break ground on the final project within the Central Thruway Phase I project,” said Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden. “With two separate phases and seven individual projects, the massive Central Thruway project is one that continues to move closer and closer to becoming a reality. Soon, the citizens of the City of Central and East Baton Rouge Parish will be able to utilize a complete Central Thruway that serves as a vital access point connecting our great parish.”
Partially funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD), the Central Thruway Phase I Paving project will complete the clearing and grubbing, drainage structures, embankments, and construction of bridges and roadway required within the Central Thruway Phase I project limits.
With a construction cost of $5.3 million and an anticipated completion date of January 2011, the project was awarded through the public bid process to James Construction Group, LLC. Once the remaining segments of the Central Thruway project are complete, a new four-lane roadway with a raised median and shoulders on new alignment will extend from Florida Boulevard to Frenchtown Road, and then to Greenwell Springs Road. When complete, the new Central Thruway will provide an improved north-south connection for the area as well as an improved north-south connection extending all the way from Nicholson Drive to Hooper Road.
Groundbreaking Participants
From East Baton Rouge Parish:
Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish
Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives
Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish
Metro Councilmember Scott Wilson, District 4
Former Metro Councilmember Joe Greco
From the City of Central:
Mayor Shelton “Mac” Watts, City of Central
City Official David Barrow
City Councilman Ralph Washington
City Councilman Louis Dejohn
City Councilman Tony Lobue
City Councilman Aaron Moak
City Councilman Wayne Messina
From the Department of Public Works:
Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director
Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director
Jim Ferguson, P.E., M.B.A., Chief Engineer
Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., P.T.O.E., Chief Traffic Engineer
Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:
Guy Leonard, P.E.
Laura Riggs, P.E.
From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:
Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director
Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager
From the Engineering Consultant; Shread-Kuyrkendall & Associates:
Mr. Gary McClure, P.E.
Mr. John P. Raymond, P.E.
From the Contractor; James Construction Group, LLC:
Mr. Rodney James
Mr. Danny Hester
Mr. Chet Chautin
Mr. Aaron Dupont
Mr. Matt Hicks
