Sw Louisiana News

The City of Lake Charles has issued an update on the progress of the West Prien Lake Road Widening Project. In a statement released today, the city announced that the project, a collaboration between the City of Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, is proceeding as planned and is set to be completed by the spring of 2025.

According to the city's announcement, the scope of work for the project includes widening West Prien Lake Road from Cove Lane south to Ihles Road, along with the addition of a bike path on the west side of the road and sidewalks on the east side. The project also encompasses significant improvements to drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure.

One key milestone of the project has already been achieved, with the reconstruction of Sale Road now completed. This part of the project involved the creation of a 3-lane roadway from Rue Chan Ann Lane to West Prien Lake Road. Furthermore, the widening and paving of West Prien Lake Road south of its intersection with Sale Road have been finished, allowing both north and southbound traffic to utilize this section of the road.

Construction is currently in progress on the northern section of West Prien Lake Road, involving the widening of the road, installation of new drainage infrastructure, and concrete pavement. As a result of the ongoing work, a section of West Prien Lake Road from the Cove Lane traffic circle south to Sale Road is open for southbound traffic only, with northbound traffic redirected via Sale Road to Burton Lane.

Moreover, the closure of Henderson Bayou Road at its junction with West Prien Lake Road is being extended to facilitate the installation of new concrete pavement. Weather permitting, this intersection is projected to reopen by 5 pm on Friday, April 19, 2024.

In addressing public expectations for a timely completion, the city emphasized that the project timeline was established by a third-party engineer during the bidding process. The selected contractor is currently meeting the projected timeline for the project.

Upon its completion, the West Prien Lake Road Widening Project is anticipated to be a substantial investment in road, sewer, drainage, and quality of life infrastructure for the City of Lake Charles.