Thibodaux On The Move
In local government, we are constantly planning projects, managing projects under construction, or enjoying completed projects, so I want to give you a quick update on recent developments. There are quite a few projects that we recently completed including:
- Upgrades to the Municipal Pool
- Senior Citizen Parking Lot Expansion
- Daigle Park Pavilion
Upgrading the Municipal Pool involved changing the expansion joints and installing a new pump and pump seal. We also added a new awning to the Municipal Pool House and added additional exterior lights to the building, which illuminates the parking lot. Those using the Municipal Pool include participants of TREC programs, such as Water Aerobics, Swimming Lessons, and Lap Swimming. The Municipal Pool is also open for general swimming, Monday – Saturday, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm ($3.00 per person). Family Pool Memberships are also available and you can contact Thibodaux Recreation Department at 985-446-7235 for more information.
The Senior Citizen Parking Lot Expansion Project was also recently completed. Center participants can now exit onto President Street instead of exiting onto Canal Boulevard. The project was funded, in part, with a $130,000 grant from the Lorio Foundation and the expansion created about twenty five additional parking spaces for center participants.
The 20’ X 25’ Daigle Park Pavilion cost was approximately $24,000. It is handicap accessible and contains two handicap accessible picnic tables.
A big step toward making Thibodaux a more pedestrian friendly city is the soon to be completed, Acadia Pedestrian Walkway Project, located in front of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. The project stretches down the abandoned railroad corridor from Audubon Avenue to Percy Brown Road. Phase One of the 6-foot, concrete, lighted walkway will not only aesthetically enhance the developing area near the hospital, but will create a safe pedestrian walkway and bicycle path for residents. Best of all, the $205,000 project was funded with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.
When additional funds are available, Phase Two of the Acadia Pedestrian Walkway Project will continue the walkway from Audubon Avenue to Bayou Lane and connect to the walking path on the Nicholls State University Campus.
The Tiger Drive Extension/Thibodaux Road Overlay Project is currently under construction. The total cost is $1,340,433. The project is being funded, in part, with ARRA federal stimulus funds of approximately $755,000 from the city and $400,000 from Lafourche Parish for the Tiger Drive Extension overlay portion. The balance of the project is being funded with local street improvement funds. The project will be accomplished in phases and is expected to be completed within 85 days of the start date, which was May 26, 2010. The following Thibodaux streets are receiving improvements:
- Tiger Drive (LA 1 to Parish Road)
- Tiger Drive Extension (Talbot Ave. to LA 3185)
- Ridgefield Road
- Menard Street (Goode Street to Audubon Ave.)
- Audubon Drive (Acadia Rd. to LA648)
By the time this article goes to print, the East Thibodaux Water Line Distribution Project will have begun and I will have received more information on the expected start date of the Left-Turn Lane Project, which will add left-turn lanes to Thibodaux bridges. Of course, I will update you accordingly. Until then, I hope you are enjoying the progress. As always, there’s so much more on the way!
