By Bonnie Culverhouse
Minden Mayor Nick Cox believes the I-20 service road is one of the city’s lowest hanging fruits … and it’s under utilized.
But what if there were an easier way to get to the businesses located there? What if there were a more centrally-located road connecting Minden to Industrial Drive, otherwise known as the service road?
“We have looked at several projects, but I believe – to get Minden in a better place – access to the service road is where we need to focus,” Cox said. “The infrastructure is already there … the sewer, the water are already there. That’s a big deal.”
Using its contract with Manchac Consulting Group, the City of Minden is seeking a $5.1 million grant that would allow them to go from Highway 80, just east of Fincher Road south to the backside of the Louisiana Technical Community College and Harvey’s Way (road), thus connecting to the service road.
“There’s a lot of land out there that is underdeveloped,” said the mayor.
Cox said some of the service road issues include the inability to see it from the Interstate 20.
“Developments would fix that, clearing of the property and putting up signs from businesses,” he said, going on to name various property owners in that area. “Some of them are businesses, but there is still some property owned by families that live on the Penal Farm Road side (of I-20).”
After talking with the council and Public Works Director Tyler Wallace, Cox said he believes it would be beneficial to build a road “from Minden to the service road. Right now, you have to go around the world to get there.”
A map, supplied by Manchac, shows the road connecting 80 to Harvey’s Way would bypass much of what’s known as Cooley Bottom and property that floods or is “swampy.”
“This is just a draft,” Cox said of the map. “It is not final by any means. This is just to help us apply for the grant. It is not necessarily the route it will take.”
However, the owner of the property has no issue with it at this time, according to Cox.
If the connecting road can be built, Cox said it would allow for a back entrance and exit access joining the city-owned Recreation Center, as well as the college and other businesses.
Cox admits qualifying for the grant is difficult, and the city needs help.
“The window to apply for this grant is now,” Cox said. “We are currently seeking letters from officials – including our Congressional and state delegates – to help make this happen.”
He also pointed to a strong medical community that could benefit from access to the service road.
“Letters of support from them would be beneficial to helping us get this RAISE grant,” he said.
A RAISE grant, (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity), is a federal discretionary program through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Our eligibility will decide whether we are qualified for the grant and whether we will receive 100 percent of the money or have a 20 percent match,” said the mayor.
Any of these officials or businesses that would like to send letters of support for this road, may send them to adrake@mindenusa.com by Monday, February 5.