Lafayette, LA --- Construction of the first phase of the Kaliste Saloom Road Widening Project has begun. The project includes the stretch of Kaliste Saloom Road from Ambassador Caffery Parkway to E. Broussard Road.
The first phase consists of constructing three of the project's major drainage outfalls. These outfalls consist of installing large subsurface drainage pipe from Kaliste Saloom Road to both the Vermilion River and the Issac Verot Coulee system. Construction of these outfalls is a critical phase of the project that must be completed prior to construction of the overall roadway widening improvements.
Gilmore & Sons, Inc., contractor for this phase of construction, started work on the project in early July of this year and is anticipating completing this phase of construction near or around January of 2013. The construction cost for this phase of the project is $1,200,000.
Lafayette Consolidated Government is currently acquiring property and working with their engineering consultant to finalize construction plans for the second phase of the project which includes the relocation of both public and private utilities. This next phase of construction is estimated to commence in the summer of 2013 and ending near or around the end of 2014. The final phase of the project consists of the actual widening of Kaliste Saloom Road from Ambassador Caffery Parkway to E. Broussard along with the construction of a new dual lane modern roundabout approximately 800 feet southeast of the existing intersection of Kaliste Saloom Road and E. Broussard Road. This last phase of construction is anticipated to commence in early 2015 and expecting to be complete near or around the fall of 2016.
"Kaliste Saloom is a critical road for Lafayette, and this project is going to help provide traffic relief in that part of the city. The State had projected this project for 2028, but by taking control of our own destiny we were able to not only fast forward this project, but also got Ambassador Caffery South built. We know many of our citizens are excited for this widening project to be completed, and thought it was important to communicate the status," said City-Parish President Joey Durel.
Councilman Keith Patin underscored the importance of the roadway to his district: "Kaliste Saloom is such an important road for District 8. I am encouraged by the progress that has begun and hope Lafayette residents know that their traffic concerns are being heard and addressed through projects like this one."
Officials ask that motorists traveling the existing Kaliste Saloom Road Corridor between Ambassador Caffery Parkway and E. Broussard Road take precaution as there may be heavy construction vehicles entering or exiting the highway during the current construction phase.