Later this summer, construction will begin on the West Drive project which will provide improvements to the area from Grandview Drive to Hwy 11 including a full bridge replacement, overlay and shoulder work, and drainage improvements.
The entire project is expected to be completed in 2026 and will not result in changes to the flow of traffic in the area.
The bridge on West Drive has been closed since December 2023 when the Office of State Aid Road Construction examined the bridge and determined that it was unsafe. Since the bridge did not pass the inspection, the city closed it to ensure that drivers would not be at risk.
In the meantime, city officials began working on obtaining funding sources to complete the bridge replacement and other roadway improvements in the area.
City Officials were able to secure $2 million in federal aid for this project with the caveat that the city provide 20% in matching funds. City officials were then able to acquire $800,000 from state funding sources and to allot $500,000 from the city’s budget to fund the project.
The end result will be that the citizens of Laurel will receive an estimated $3.3 million in the completed roadwork for the cost of $500,000 from the city’s budget – a whopping 85% discount.
Stay tuned for updates on this and other projects designed to keep the City Beautiful looking good!
