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A proposed bypass for DeRidder could benefit Fort Polk by opening up a pathway to the Lake Charles port.
Representative James Armes recently traveled to Washington to discuss with the Louisiana delegation many local issues pertaining to Vernon Parish roads, and added to that agenda was his desire to speed up the process for the Louisiana congressional heads to approve the funding for the bypass project.
"Mayor Ron Roberts, the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and the Beauregard Parish Police Jury have been seeking the bypass to aid in hurricane evacuation efforts in DeRidder," Armes explained. "But the bypass would also benefit Fort Polk by allowing a way to transport materials out of the Port of Lake Charles."
Currently, Fort Polk has been using the Port of Beaumont for all of its shipping needs. Using the Port of Lake Charles, said Armes said, would boost the state's economy.
"Keeping that money in the state of Louisiana would be a great thing," he said.
The bypass project has been in the works for over three years and is now beginning to see the beginning signs of realization.
"The first step is to submit the request," Armes explained. "Then there must be an environmental impact study completed, followed by the design process and public hearings."
Armes said that one public hearing was held earlier this summer and another will be held in the near future. Both are focusing on the bypass layout.
The design plans being examined now will create a four lane bypass that will travel around the east side of DeRidder and include an overpass above the KCS railroad.
"There are two to three designs that are being looked at now that have the bypass joining U.S. 171 just south of Rosepine," Armes said.
The project is expected to have a price tag ranging from $80 to $100 million.
A proposed bypass for DeRidder could benefit Fort Polk by opening up a pathway to the Lake Charles port.
Representative James Armes recently traveled to Washington to discuss with the Louisiana delegation many local issues pertaining to Vernon Parish roads, and added to that agenda was his desire to speed up the process for the Louisiana congressional heads to approve the funding for the bypass project.
"Mayor Ron Roberts, the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and the Beauregard Parish Police Jury have been seeking the bypass to aid in hurricane evacuation efforts in DeRidder," Armes explained. "But the bypass would also benefit Fort Polk by allowing a way to transport materials out of the Port of Lake Charles."
Currently, Fort Polk has been using the Port of Beaumont for all of its shipping needs. Using the Port of Lake Charles, said Armes said, would boost the state's economy.
"Keeping that money in the state of Louisiana would be a great thing," he said.
The bypass project has been in the works for over three years and is now beginning to see the beginning signs of realization.
"The first step is to submit the request," Armes explained. "Then there must be an environmental impact study completed, followed by the design process and public hearings."
Armes said that one public hearing was held earlier this summer and another will be held in the near future. Both are focusing on the bypass layout.
The design plans being examined now will create a four lane bypass that will travel around the east side of DeRidder and include an overpass above the KCS railroad.
"There are two to three designs that are being looked at now that have the bypass joining U.S. 171 just south of Rosepine," Armes said.
The project is expected to have a price tag ranging from $80 to $100 million.
