At the Wednesday March 5 Bossier Parish Police Jury meeting, Bossier Parish Administrator Dr. Ken Ward announced that the Bossier Parish Police Jury has once again been honored with the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation’s (LWCC) Safest 70 Award. This marks the third consecutive year the jury has received this recognition.
To commemorate the occasion, LWCC will present the Police Jury with a plaque next month. LWCC, a leading workers’ compensation provider in Louisiana, serves nearly 20,000 companies and is dedicated to excellence in underwriting and providing lifelong care to injured workers.
During the meeting, the Police Jury also considered the Palmetto Road Widening Project. The jury approved proposals from two right-of-way appraisal companies for Phase II, which will extend from the 911 Center north to Vance Road.
According to a recent North Bossier Parish Capacity Assessment report, Palmetto Road should be expanded to five lanes between Kingston Road and the 911 Center and three lanes from the 911 Center to Vance Road. These improvements are designed to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic in this area.
Bossier Parish Engineer Eric Hudson updated Police Jury members on progress for the Caplis-Sligo Road and Smith Road bridge projects. Hudson reported that all piles for the Caplis-Sligo Road Bridge have been driven, marking a significant milestone. However, recent heavy rains and the resulting high water levels have caused delays in other areas of the project. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) anticipates the bridge will be completed and open to traffic by summer 2025, just in time for the new school year.
Additionally, Hudson noted that the Smith Road Bridge Project over Red Chute Bayou is in its initial stages. Preparations are underway, but the contractor has yet to mobilize assets to the site.