North Bayou des Glaises culvert repair moving forward!

By A. Guillot

A washed-out culvert that closed a portion of North Bayou des Glaises Road could be replaced within the next 60 days, according to Avoyelles Parish Police Jury Civil Works Director Kevin Bordelon.

The culvert failed during Tropical Storm Arthur, forcing motorists to use an alternate route while awaiting repairs.

Bordelon said the culvert was inspected by Police Jury and Red River, Atchafalaya & Bayou Boeuf Levee Board personnel in 2025, before the failure, and no visible damage was found.

No funding has been approved for the project. Bordelon said the funding process remains in its early stages.

According to Bordelon, residents were told when the culvert failed that replacing the structure would take time because parish crews were addressing more critical damage elsewhere.

“The Jury had seven bridges and three other culverts to replace,” Bordelon said. “Many structures were the only way home for residents. Crews worked seven days a week for some six weeks to get all critical structures replaced and open safely.”

Bordelon described the current detour as “very short.” The closure has raised concerns among local residents about traveling along the road while they wait for the damaged culvert to be replaced.

The new culvert should be delivered within the next 30 days and installed as soon as parish crews are available, Bordelon said. The work is expected to be completed within 60 days at an approximate cost of $35,000.

Bordelon said the Police Jury takes all work orders seriously but must prioritize projects based on urgency.

“Calling officials and making headlines does not move any project ahead of more critical ones,” Bordelon said. He plans to provide photographs showing work crews completed in the parish after the flood.