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Equipment dealer urges turning lane on Hwy. 167 to serve new Dodson shop
Summary
Spencer Gaar of Gaar Equipment Sales told the Winn Parish Industrial Board he plans a new Dodson facility and urged construction of a crossover or turning lane on Hwy. 167, citing safety concerns and roughly 500–600 trucks a year; the board discussed the request but took no formal action.
Spencer Gaar, owner of Gaar Equipment Sales in Dodson, told the Winn Parish Industrial Board on Oct. 21 that his company has bought property off Hwy. 167 and plans to build a new service facility. He said large trucks currently must pass a mill and turn around to head south, which creates a safety hazard for the logging-equipment traffic that serves the shop.
"They feel it needs to be a crossover or a turning lane," Gaar said, adding that Gaar Equipment handles "about 500 to 600 trucks a year in and out." He told the board the business employs 15 to 16 people and described the planned build as an 80 x 60 shop with three bays plus an additional 80 x 60 building for office and parts.
Gaar said he has spoken with Rep. Jack McFarland about the roadway issue but that he did not have a timeline for any action by state officials. Board members discussed the safety and traffic implications and potential next steps for coordinating with state transportation authorities, but the board did not vote on a roadway request during the meeting.
The board did not take formal action on the roadway request; Gaar said he would like to see the crossover or turning lane installed before making his investment. The matter may be raised again in future meetings as the company moves forward.
