Published 7:13 am Sunday, June 23, 2024 By Rita Lebleu Tuesday, the Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles heard from Mark Eckard who updated members about the West Prien Lake Road improvements. “This project is finally coming to an end,” Eckard said. “It should be completed by spring of next year.
” Eckard is in his fourth term as City Councilman, District G. The construction (south of Interstate 210) will widen W. Prien Lake Road from Cove Lane to Ihles Road.
The project is a joint venture between the city of Lake Charles and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and was initiated due to existing and projected increased traffic in the area, according to Katie Harrington, city of Lake Charles spokesperson. The project has been a longer time in the making than some may realize, 10 to 12 years. “When you undertake a project like this, you just don’t go do it,” Eckard said.
“You do just like you do at your house, you start putting money aside.” Eckard is prepared to field phone calls from his constituents and help solve problems, but it is financing, budgeting, and the cost-efficient delivery of government services that is the financial advisor’s bailiwick. In September 2015, funds for the project were approved as part of the capital budget.
The city of Lake Charles began allocating funds in Fiscal Year 2016. Engineering, design and acquiring rights of way took three to four years, according to a January 2024 American Press article, which stated the contractor, Siema Constr.
