Proposed interchange and roundabout coming to Vancil Road and Cypress Street

WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Changes could be coming to Vancil Road within the next few years.

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury agreed at their meeting on Oct. 7 to submit a proposal to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) to add an interchange at the current overpass on Vancil Road that would intersect with I-20 East and West.

Another part of the proposal is to add a roundabout at the intersection of Vancil Road and Cypress Street in front of J-Mart West.

Alex Graves, who owns Ready-Set-Go Child Development Center in West Monroe, said she has mixed feelings about the project.

"If it's going to be quick, it would be great, but if it's going to be something that takes a while, I think that it could potentially harm my business, or it will, because parents are going to pick convenience," said Graves.

Kevin Crosby, who serves as the parish engineer for the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, said these interchanges will allow for more access to the Interstate rather than having to travel to Well Road.

Crosby also said this additional exit at Vancil Road would alleviate traffic once drivers exit off at Well Road.

"Everything's time, time, time, and you've only got so much of that, and nobody wants to spend their time sitting in a vehicle in a traffic jam," said Crosby.

Graves said there have been many crashes at the intersection of Vancil Road and Cypress Street especially during the morning and evening rush hours.

"You have everybody coming to work from Calhoun to West Monroe and coming to West Ridge. It's right there and also coming to drop their kids off at their childcare facility. It's really around you know that 6:45 to 7:45 mark," said Graves.

Crosby said they are in the beginning stages of the project.

Once the initial request submitted by the OPPJ is approved, an Interchange Justification Report will take place for at least 18 months.

Then, several kinds of environmental studies will occur for several years before final approval for construction can take place.

With all the processes and construction combined, the project could potentially take up to 10 years to complete.

"The process only allows you to proceed at a certain rate of speed. Each one of those takes time, and each one of them call cost a great deal of money," said Crosby.

Graves said she still has questions including how local businesses including hers will be able to still receive income if she loses customers due to the project.

"Is it going to be a 60 to 90 day type we're going to be one lane, or is it going to be a year-and-a-half to two years? That's going to make a big difference too," said Graves.

The project is expected to cost over $50,000,000 overall.

Once the project is approved, the parish will secure funding from the state and federal government.