DUSON, La. (KLFY) – DOTD crews are reconstructing LA 1096 in the Town of Duson. They will mill the asphalt pavement, rebuild the base, repave the road and install new drainage pipes.

“It’s not a very heavily travelled roadway but it’s in very bad shape, the work really needs to be done there,” said DOTD District Administrator Bill Oliver.

And drivers agree. Before the construction started, they said the road was in poor shape.

“They had all kind of potholes. Very bumpy. You had to drive very, very slow going down this road,” said Clarisse Decuir of Duson. “It was a disaster.”

“You would hit bumps and holes and you’d have to swerve and now they’re finally redoing it, thank God. It’s a lot of wear and tear on your vehicle,” said Ashley Grimmett of Duson.

The road is also known as Toby Mouton Road. Some drivers use it as an alternate route from Rayne to Duson.

The work area is about a mile and a half long. Crews have been working on LA 1096 since May. They should wrap up sometime next month. The DOTD said the project costs $1.1 million.

Oliver said the department has heard the complaints, loud and clear, from residents and lawmakers.

“It’s very satisfying to finally see stuff getting done and when we can fix a road that has a need and make it safer for people,” Oliver said.

Local drivers and residents said they are happy to see the improvements being done. 

The road is open during construction, but drivers have to contend with temporary lane closures.