By JIM BUTLER

If you’re among the thousands who use U.S. Hwy. 167 (Military Highway), Pineville, everyday, the Rapides Area Planning Commission has good news for you.

The Commission’s Transportation Planning Committee is receiving public comment until Friday on its proposal to advance the timetable for a roundabout at the Pinecrest State School intersection.

The shift targets construction in federal FY 25-26 (year begins October 1, 2025.

The amendment schedules $2.45 million total, with an 80/20 cost share with the City of Pineville.

The bad news, if that’s a fair label, is the roundabout swaps places with improvement just down the highway at Edgewood Drive.

The TPC proposes the amendment on the basis of changing priority need.

The other proposed plan change is to add a planning phase for the carbon reduction program outreach and strategy plan to the current fiscal year projects, at an estimated cost of $200,000.

Several recent modifications to the TIP do not require formal committee action. They include:

Reconstruction of Foisy street, Alexandria, down its shake, rattle and roll route from Monroe to DeSoto, shifted from current fiscal year to next; Masonic Drive, Alexandria, safety improvements construction moved from current FY to next; Vandenburg Drive, Alexandria, construction moved to next FY; City of Alexandria asphalt rehab Phase III, technical/title changes; Town of Ball intersection improvements, shift construction phase from FY 24-25 to 25-26; Buhlow Central Greenway, move construction from financially constrained TIP to FY 26-27 (moved to advance Pinecrest roundabout on priority basis); Moved Edgewood Drive project to  26-27.

Comments on the amendment can be made in writing to 803 Johnson, Alexandria, by e-mail to jbolen@rapc.info or on the RAPC website.