Shreveport Highway Study Held Up By Lawsuits

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Transportation planners say an extension of an expressway is being held up by lawsuits filed by groups who say they support the road.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is ready, The Times reports to start an environmental impact study on extending La. 3132 from its current end at Flournoy Lucas Road to the Port of Caddo-Bossier.

But a group including the Finish 3132 Coalition and Willis-Knighton Health Systems sued last year. Two suits have been consolidated in state court, while a third is pending in federal court.

Lawyer Billy Pesnell says his clients want the state to build the highway across part of a subdivision, which they say is the most appropriate route. Pesnell says planners instead curved it to avoid a bridge built for the subdivision.