Governor Edwards and DOTD Secretary Wilson join Mayor Mayo and City Officials for U.S. Highway 165 South Lighting Project Groundbreaking

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 9:45am

Today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson joined Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, members of the Monroe City Council, NELA Legislators and other officicals to commemorate the groundbreaking for the long-awaited U.S. Highway 165 South Lighting Project Groundbreaking. 

Mayor Jamie Mayo said, “We are thankful to have the financial support of Governor Edwards, Secretary Wilson, and our area legislators. This project is important because Highway 165 South is a corridor which has a heavy flow of business, school, church, residential and outside travelers. The additional lighting will improve the safety and aesthetics for the thousands who utilize this road daily.” 

“While the state is finally investing in education, we have to turn our attention to protecting citizens in every community,” said, Governor John Bel Edwards. “This lighting project provided funding for improvements to keep people safe, whether they are walking, driving, or trucking. With the mission of this electorate, collaboration to address rural communities is absolutely essential.” 

This estimated $551,244 project will install approximately thirty-eight (38) new street lighting poles on U.S. Highway 165 South from Century Boulevard to Winnsboro Road. The additional lighting will increase driver and pedestrian safety in one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the Monroe. 

LaDOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson adds, “This project is a prime example of the importance of partnership on the local and state, and even federal, governmental levels,” said Sec. Shawn Wilson, Ph.D. “DOTD, under the policy of Governor Edwards, is always seeking ways to improve the safety of our infrastructure and continue to stand ready to support our local partners - and small and rural communities - in their efforts to implement these measures.” 

The project engineer is Lazenby & Associates. The contractor is Ernest P. Breaux Electrical, LLC. The project is expected to be completed in 90 working days. The project is 20% funded through City of Monroe Capital Infrastructure Funds and 80% funded through LaDOTD Urban Systems Funds. This project is #55 on Mayor Jamie Mayo’s 60 for 60 project list released in July of 2016.