Two public construction projects are currently taking place along Main Street in Franklinton, but they are not connected.
One project is the ongoing sidewalk replacement work, and the other project is replacing water lines for Riverside Medical Center and the entire medical district.
Sidewalk work is currently being done on Main Street and Cleveland Street between downtown and Franklinton Junior High School, while the medical district water line work is currently being done on Main Street just to the north of RMC.
The Franklinton sidewalk rehabilitation program is being handled by the Parish Government. Alex Sumrall, public works director for the parish, expressed his pleasure that the project is actually ahead of schedule.
He said the good weather recently has enabled the contractor to move right along on the program.
“I am excited for the new sidewalks,” Sumrall said. “This will be a great look not only for our citizens of Washington Parish, but also for those who visit from neighboring areas.”
The sidewalks are all being built to match the new sidewalks constructed around the courthouse area several years ago. The entire project is being broken down into three phases. The current work is Segment A, and this will take the new sidewalks along Main Street all the way from downtown north to the Fairgrounds.
The remaining two segments will be going out for bids soon. These segments will take the new sidewalks from downtown south all the way along Main Street to well past Riverside Medical Center.
These new Main Street sidewalks will also match the design of the new sidewalks in the courthouse area. The new sidewalks are poured concrete with brick borders.
Franklinton Mayor Darwin Sharp said the medical district water line project is now about 30% complete. If the weather cooperates, he said, the project could be completely finished within the next two months or so.
Once completed, the project will improve water pressure and reliability for Riverside Medical Center and other users in the medical district.
Sharp noted that the $700,000 project has been largely funded by the Delta Regional Authority.
Because some of the water line replacement work is currently taking place alongside Main Street near RMC, the mayor is asking motorists to use caution while driving in that area.
“There are men working there now, and sometimes they do venture into the street. Please be aware of that when you’re driving on Main Street in the area of the water line replacement work,” he said.
