Bossier City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bossier City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Road and drainage project progress
The lone bid for the intersection project came in at $1.52 million versus a $948,638 estimate — about $567,000 over. The council wants to know the city's share after grants and police jury contributions before deciding.
I-20 ramp beautification
$150,000 from the General Fund will go toward beautifying and rehabilitating the I-20 ramps and other areas of need — the first impression travelers get of Bossier City.
$25 million BUILD Grant for East-West Corridor
The long-speculated East-West Corridor road project just landed $25 million in federal funding. Right-of-way acquisition is starting, beginning on the Benton Road segment and running to Winfield Road.
Shed Road widening
The city is partnering with developer Lakewood Villas to widen Shed Road, a growing east-side corridor.
Benton Road/Douglas Drive traffic safety and 2290 Benton Road rezoning
The Wunnenbergs' chiropractic office rezone is back after a city council denial; the neighbor across the road says traffic near the Big B Parkway interchange is already unsafe and asked for a traffic study.
Traffic on Old Brownlee and Wimpey roads
Residents of the Crossing at Wimpey worried the Folia development's access onto Old Brownlee will worsen already brutal school-hour backups. Parish officials say funded turn lanes and a signal at Wimpey/Old Brownlee will help, plus the future East-West Corridor.
Citywide street improvements bids
Council members discussed the city's ice-storm cleanup, potential street damage from the freeze, and hopes for state reimbursement funding.
Old Brownlee and Wemple Road project
The city would front $924,021.91 from the Parkway Capital Project Fund for this joint road/drainage project, with $450,000 in grants to come back and the parish chipping in $131,000 plus prep work. Councilor Maggio objected that the city keeps getting the short end of city-parish deals; the item was pushed back two weeks.
Barksdale Boulevard sidewalks project
The city locked in its $2 million state grant for sidewalks along Barksdale from Central Park Drive to Westgate, mostly on the south/business side, with a 20% local match. Existing sidewalks there aren't ADA compliant, so this is a real pedestrian safety upgrade.
Hamilton Road project funding gap
Everyone agrees Hamilton Road needs rebuilding, but it missed out on state capital outlay funding and isn't in HV2. The engineer is chasing NLCOG and MPC grant options, though the timeline is unknown.
I-20 completion and parish road projects
La DOTD says the I-20 project is essentially done — the Benton Road off-ramp reopens this weekend and full completion is expected by late March. The new Jimmy Davis Bridge should be drivable by mid-to-late 2027.