by Malcolm Butler
Relief is on the way.
As residents continue to talk (and worry) about possible challenges associated with the construction of the new Cooktown Bridge and roundabouts, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said funding has been approved by the state for the completion of Goyne Street.
This should alleviate some of the pressure coming off of the eastbound frontage road located south of Interstate 20.
Although normally traffic is only a major issue at this intersection following church services on Sunday and Wednesdays, it is still a concern. The completion of Goyne Street will also provide another route for motorists traveling from I-20 that are wanting to access the Tech Athletics complex, including Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center.
Walker said at March Ruston City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, a vote will be taken to approve the first phase of the project.
The road would start on the frontage road just west of Temple Baptist Church and would run south through existing woods (behind Garland Gregory Hide-A-Way Park), eventually ending at West Alabama Avenue between The Heights Ruston and Park Ridge Estates.
According to Walker, an access road from the Temple Baptist Church parking lot will allow churchgoers to access Goyne Street.
“The City Council will vote Monday to authorize the city to enter into a contract related to starting phase 1 of constructing this road,” said Walker.
Walker said the price tag on the entire project will be around $2.3 million with the city paying for 25 percent.
“We have about $600,000 from capitol outlay for phase 1,” said Walker. “Goyne Street starts at West Alabama but only goes for about a couple hundred yards. Phase 1 will allow us to completely finish that stretch with drainage and everything. Phase 2 will take us from that point to the frontage road.”
Walker said there will be multiple benefits to the new road.
“Our thought was people can get off on Tarbutton, come down the frontage road, and take a right on Goyne Street and have access to the (Thomas) Assembly Center and Joe Aillet Stadium,” said Walker. “Plus, this will give the Temple Baptist folks relief to go south on Goyne Street and then hit West Alabama. It will help congestion during those times on Cooktown.”
Although funding has been approved, the timeliness of phase 2 funds is still a concern.
Walker said he is hoping the state will move funds for phase 2 from Priority 5 to Priority 1 so the entire project can be completed sooner than later.
“If people want to help us with this, call any legislator — not just ours from around here because they are aware of it but others — and encourage them to move that money from Priority 5 to Priority 1,” said Walker. “This could be completed before the new Cooktown Bridge and roundabouts open if the funding is moved to Priority 1.”
