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Road committee opts for basic overlay of Metcalfe Road, declines truck‑route conversion
Summary
After a study showed sharp curves and large right‑of‑way impacts, the Road Committee voted to proceed with a basic overlay of Metcalfe Road and maintain it as a non‑truck route rather than rebuilding curves to accommodate heavy truck traffic.
The DeSoto Parish Road Committee voted to authorize a patch‑and‑overlay restoration of Metcalfe Road rather than reconstructing curves to establish a truck route, after engineers reported two sharp 90‑degree bends that would require substantial encroachment into adjacent properties.
Staff said a truck‑route conversion would require widening and altering radii from about 115 feet to roughly 300 feet in places, requiring land acquisition that property owners were reluctant to grant. "After looking at the study, we'd have to encroach a little bit more than expected on their property. That will not work," staff said. Committee members agreed the most practical near‑term action is a basic overlay to restore existing pavement and address broken edges within the current 60‑foot right‑of‑way.
Why it matters: Committee members said the overlay will preserve road function and extend pavement life with funds already budgeted (about $1.6 million allocated for Metcalfe), while avoiding costly land acquisition and major reconstruction. Jurors noted state highway traffic patterns limit the parish’s ability to control truck movements on nearby state routes.
The vote: A motion to proceed with a basic overlay and designate Metcalfe as a non‑truck route passed on a voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will schedule the overlay work and report back on construction timing and cost details; committee members indicated outreach to affected property owners will continue if future realignment is reconsidered.
