OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — Following the unanimous approval by the state bond commission of St. Landry Parish's plan to sell $62.5 million in bonds, the largest road reconstruction effort in the parish's history has moved one step closer to reality.

The Daily World reports the bonds are being funded by a new 15-year, two-cent sales tax in the rural portions of the parish with the funds dedicated to rural road improvements.

That tax was passed by the voters in October and is expected to generate about $7 million a year.

The parish has about 800 miles of rural roads, of which Parish President Bill Fontenot says 700 are in bad shape.

He says the first projects should be bid out and under construction by summer.

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