Petition to Prioritize and Repair LA Highway 495 – Cloutierville, Louisiana
To:
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD)
District 08 – Alexandria
3300 MacArthur Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
district08@la.gov

CC:

Congressman Cleo Fields, Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District
Natchitoches Parish President John Salter
Louisiana State Senator Alan Seabaugh
Louisiana State Representative Jason DeWitt
 
Subject: Request for Immediate Repair and Funding Prioritization – LA Highway 495, Cloutierville, LA
We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Cloutierville and Natchitoches Parish, respectfully petition the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) to prioritize and expedite the repair of Louisiana Highway 495 (LA 495) due to its severely deteriorated condition and the growing safety concerns it poses for local residents, school transportation, and emergency services.

Highway 495 serves as a vital connection for the Cloutierville community, providing access to homes, churches, schools, emergency services, and agricultural areas. Over time, the road has suffered significant wear, creating unsafe driving conditions, drainage issues, and hazards for motorists and emergency services.

We understand that LA DOTD has tentatively scheduled this project for solicitation in June 2026, with an estimated cost of $1.35 million. However, we are concerned that, because this timeline falls near the end of the fiscal year, the project could again be delayed or deprioritized due to competing funding needs.

We urge LA DOTD to:

Reevaluate the project’s scheduling and funding priority;
Advance the solicitation date if possible; and
Consider any available state or federal transportation funds to expedite the rehabilitation of Highway 495.
Our community stands ready to support these efforts and provide documentation, photos, and testimony about the current road conditions and their impacts.

By signing below, we collectively affirm that the condition of Highway 495 has become a pressing concern for the safety, mobility, and quality of life of Cloutierville residents and all who travel this corridor.

 
Sincerely,
The Concerned Residents of Cloutierville, Louisiana