By Malcolm Butler
Although the new intersection at Cedar Creek and Kentucky Avenue opened back in September and was completed in November, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker and other local dignitaries conducted the ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning in recognition of the completion of the project.
Regional Construction out of Natchitoches was the contractor on the project, which runs approximately 300 feet to the east of the old intersection. Although the project cost $1.75 million, Walker said it was actually more financially feasible compared to alternatives.
“The great thing about it this is another project funded by Moving Ruston Forward tax,” said Walker. “People voted on it about eight years ago and it has funded so many projects over that time. It is a great connector to Cedar Creek Drive. We took out the portion of the road where there was a wooden bridge that was going to have to be rebuilt.
“We did this because we now have a perpendicular entrance from Kentucky. This is now much safer. There is some cost savings as well. It saves us about a quarter of a million dollars from what we did compared to replacing an old wooden bridge. From a safety standpoint, from a cost standpoint, it’s just a better look.”
City of Ruston Public Works Utility Manager Andrew Halbrook said the new intersection will also help when it comes to future expansion.
“Not only was this done to make the previously very unsafe and poorly designed intersection at Cedar Creek, Goodwin Road and Kentucky Avenue more safe from a visibility standpoint, but it will help with future expansion on East Kentucky,” said Halbrook. “The plan is to break ground on first portion of the three lane from Goodwin to Highway 33 at the end of this year. Having that perpendicular intersection will make traffic flow safer for those traveling east and west on Kentucky Avenue as well as Cedar Creek Drive and Frazier Road.”
Walker cited the work done by Halbrook and a few other city workers on the project.
“I want to thank Kevin McGivney, who is in charge of our streets in the city, John Freeman, who is over public works, and Andrew Halbrook, who helps with all the grant writing within the city,” said Walker. “Those three people were very important pieces to this project.”
