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Ouachita Parish backs grant applications for Fontana and Pine Bluff road improvements, pledges local matches
Summary
The Police Jury adopted resolutions to pursue U.S. Economic Development Administration and Delta Regional Authority funding for Fontana Road and Pine Bluff Road improvements, dedicating local matching funds of $652,000 (EDA) and $822,166 (DRA) for Fontana and $857,154 for Pine Bluff.
The Ouachita Parish Police Jury on June 21 approved multiple resolutions authorizing grant applications and local matches for three rural road projects.
Resolution No. 23‑23 authorized submission of an application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the "Fontana Road Improvements" project, a proposed repair and widening of a 0.980‑mile section of Fontana Road connecting Millhaven Road. The Jury dedicated $652,000 in local matching funds and designated Parish Engineer Kevin Crosby to act for the Parish in submitting the application and providing information to EDA officials. The resolution was adopted at the June 21 meeting.
The Jury also adopted Resolution No. 23‑22 to pursue Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funding for the same Fontana Road project and committed a higher local match of $822,166. In addition, Resolution No. 23‑21 authorized submission of a DRA application for the "Pine Bluff Road Improvements" project — described in the minutes as repair and widening of a 3.6‑mile section linking Louisiana Highways 557 and 846 — and dedicated local matching funds of $857,154. Kevin Crosby was named the Parish's authorized representative for the DRA applications.
All three resolutions were presented through the Parish engineer's office and adopted on June 21, 2023. The minutes record formal motions and adoption of these resolutions; no recorded opposition appears in the meeting record.
Why it matters: The projects involve substantial local matching commitments and would affect freight and local traffic flow on connector roads in Ouachita Parish and an adjacent parish for Pine Bluff Road. The minutes do not specify total project costs, construction schedules, or funding decisions by the EDA or DRA.
Next steps: Engineer Kevin Crosby is authorized to proceed with application submittals and to provide information to the respective agencies; the Parish must plan for the locally pledged funds if grants are awarded.
