Road Damage Concerns Grow In St. Landry

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — Complaints about trucks tearing up parish roads have prompted the St. Landry Parish Council to re-examine how road-use permits are issued and how the parish can force companies causing the damage to pay for repairs.

Council member Pam Gautreau tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/1sGTJY0) that oilfield trucks have caused extensive damage to Mouton and Savoie roads, documented by photographs and by complaints to the Sheriff's Office.

Council member Wayne Ardoin says the parish once had an inspector who had authority to issue citations for damage.

But Parish President Bill Fontenot says the public works department does not have enough personnel to investigate companies that fail to obtain permits or are suspected of damaging roads.

Parish attorney Lance Pitre will investigate steps St. Landry might take against companies whose trucks damage roads.

___

Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com