Infrastructure projects are a key issue for the Ouachita Business Alliance. Two major plans are moving forward, giving the leadership team a bit of a head start on future ideas for the parish.
"We've looked at key projects that could be big wins for the community," says infrastructure team chair Sue Nicholson.
She cites the long-awaited Kansas Lane extension project as being able to bring great benefit to the area. In the last legislative session, remaining funding for the plan was approved. The Kansas-Garrett overpass that would connect to I-20 is another item being supported.
Nicholson says other projects the team hopes to address are U.S. Highway 165 and the east-west approaches to the Lea Joyner Bridge.
Water service is another priority for the parish. The infrastructure team is monitoring and reviewing data from different quadrants of the parish to see where improvements might be made.
"The east side of the river draws surface water which is more plentiful, while the west side uses the aquifer," said Nicholson. "We want to insure that everyone has quality water at an affordable price. The goal is to be more mindful of what we build and how it can best serve the citizens of the parish."
