Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Streets topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultant says Darby Lane repairs planned as part of large overlay project; contractor sequencing, drainage and unexpected concrete cores cited
Summary
Bayrock consultant told the council the city has 50 streets in a years-long overlay program; Darby Lane will be restriped and selected intersections patched, but full reconstruction depends on state highway closures and contractor sequencing; the consultant reported budget overruns driven largely by Ashton Street discoveries.
A consultant for the city told New Iberia council members the large street overhaul underway covers about 50 streets and will take roughly the project’s remaining days to complete, and he outlined why some problem spots — including Darby Lane — could not be fixed immediately.
John Sharpenje of Bayrock Habit and Associates said the current contracts include both a concrete project and an asphalt overlay project; the contractor is managing nine active street segments now and remains constrained by mobilization and coordination with a state highway detour plan for Darby Lane. "Darby Lane, we do have to close. It is on a state highway... They have to present a detour plan," he said, adding that striping and targeted intersection repairs (including near McDonald’s) are planned and that restriping from Highway 182 to Jane Street is part of the schedule.
Why it matters: Residents from the Darby Lane area told the council they face near-misses and difficulty turning because of narrow curves, missing striping and overgrown shoulders. Council members pressed the consultant for schedules and cost details; the consultant said unforeseen issues uncovered during milling — including buried concrete islands, sinkholes and catch basins — have added repair work and cost overruns.
Budget and schedule details: The consultant said the project has required change orders and that Ashton Street accounted for a large portion of cost overrun due to deep concrete problems. He estimated the contractor is roughly halfway through contract days but noted the work is complex; he projected some west-side streets could be finished in 30–60 days but warned the full overlay package is long-term.
Contractor management and options: Council members asked whether the city could re-prioritize streets or add crews. The consultant answered that the city may request priority changes but the contractor bids and mobilization strategies determine sequencing and adding crews raises cost and risk. He recommended using unit-price line items for unforeseen curb and drainage repairs so the city can charge those items to drainage funds when appropriate.
Next steps: Staff will provide breakout costs for drainage-related work found during milling so council can evaluate using drainage funds versus road money; the consultant said striping and final pavement markings typically occur near job completion.
