By Pat Culverhouse
Approximately $39,000 in change orders for construction of a new women’s parish penal facility on the grounds of the old parish penal farm received approval Tuesday from the Webster Parish Police Jury.
Approval of the changes came as a recommendation from the jury’s finance committee meeting prior to Tuesday’s regular session.
Members were told the change orders came in two requests: one totaling just over $23,000 would target a number of miscellaneous items including additional electrical outlets and a reposition of a doorway. The changes were requested following recommendations from the Sheriff’s Office.
A second change order of just under $16,000 relates to the fire rating in the property room at the new facility.
Each change reportedly would add an additional 10 days to the completion date of the $5.12 million project. Testament Construction Services of Shreveport, contractor of the facility, still anticipates the project will be completed by the end of September. Contract for the prisoner was awarded in December, 2024.
Primary funding for the prison came from two sources. Roughly $2.5 million was awarded the police jury under the American Rescue Act of 2021, and another $2.4 million was given by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Once completed, the new facility will house up to 66 female prisoners. Female inmates are currently housed on the fourth floor of the Webster Parish Courthouse.
During its road committee meeting Tuesday, jury members learned the state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will be replacing a bridge on LA Hwy. 159 north of Minden. That project is scheduled to begin Aug. 27 and be completed within four to five months.
A detour route along LA 160 to U.S. 79 is proposed, but that route raised concerns from some jury members.
“That detour adds another 20 miles or more for people coming to Minden, and what we most likely will see is traffic using Caney Lake Rd. or Dogwood Trail,” said juror Randy Thomas. “Heavy trucks will tear up those roads. They can’t take the heavy traffic and we’ll have to fix them.”
Jury President Jim Bonsall said he would speak to local DOTD officials to see if another solution could be found.
“The creek that bridge crosses isn’t very big and I wonder if they might be able to drop a box culvert in there and build a drive-around,” he suggested. “It would save a lot of miles for people who have to make that drive.”
State Senator Adam Bass, who attended the committee meetings, agreed to assist the police jury by relaying the concerns of the police jury to DOTD officials.
During Tuesday’s meeting, jury members also:
- Approved the annual off-system bridge system requirements for 2026.
- Approved a contract between the jury and Carlisle Thompson, LLC effective June 22, 2022 with a June 22, 2027 expiration date.
- Heard reports from various parish agencies.