As part of the state’s program to improve roadway areas with high-accident rates, the curves on LA 352/Henderson Main Street have been coated with a new anti-skid material.
At the Jan. 14 town council meeting, Mayor Sherbin Collette said the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) claims the sprayed-on material is both effective and very durable.
The accident-prevention program, which is conducted through traffic accident analysis by Louisiana State University, identifies such problematic areas and recommends steps to remedy the causes. It was found that loss of traction has been the cause of many accidents on Main Street over the past several years.
Those accidents have resulted in vehicles impacting homes, commercial buildings and telephone poles as well as vehicles in ditches and serious collisions. Police Chief Leroy Guidry told the council DOTD reports have indicated that the new surface treatment has drastically reduced loss-of-traction accidents where it has been applied and it lasts as long as the asphalt surface it is applied to.
In other business, Councilman Wil White proposed that some of the $90,000 remaining of the town’s share of the 2016 parish recreation bond be used for new benches at the softball field in Henry Guidry Memorial Park.
White said there are often more spectators at softball games than seating room and the old benches are in need of repair. Collette and the council agreed and a formal proposal will be put to a vote at a future meeting.
Finally, the council went into executive (secret) session to discuss possible pending litigation. Resident Steve Bridges has retained an attorney for a possible suit over ongoing damage to his property.
Bridges purchased a building on Canal Street near the Bayou Amy bridge. A large drainage pipe directly beneath his house is collapsed and leaking, eroding the surrounding soil and causing serious damage. The town has claimed it has no responsibility for the state-installed culvert.
