Shreveport Leaders Explain Why Sidewalks on Knight Street Are Not Finished
I have been on a tear for the past couple of years about all the delays in getting the Knight Street project done in Shreveport.
Well it is finished. It took almost two years. But there is a problem. The sidewalk is not complete. It is finished on the east side of Knight Street. The sidewalk runs from Preston Street all the way to Shreveport Barksdale Highway. It's really needed on that side of the road because that's where a lot of apartment complexes area and there are always folks walking to and from the Walmart.
But on the west side of Knight Street, the sidewalk runs from Preston to South Pointe Parkway. The sidewalk simply stops. I wondered why. There was a Sportran bus stop on that side of the road and I thought it was silly not to have a sidewalk for those folks. But I have now learned the Sportran stop has been moved across the street.
But what about finishing the sidewalk? I asked Public Works Director Jarvis Morgan about this and his staff sent me a full report on what has happened. And it's quite logical.
Sidewalk Might Damage Oak Trees
The property owner was quite concerned about the "health and protection of the trees. Their servitudes states that the city could be liable for damage/death to any of the trees. The arborists valued each tree around $40k."
Concerns about the Sidewalk and the Sprinkler System
"The old sprinkler system was system removed by contractor. New system put in by property owner without coordination and in conflict of future sidewalk. Sidewalk installation postponed at the time for the trees to recover and contractor was to install during the winter/dormant season. The contractor failed to do this."
Issues with Contractor Reliability
City engineers say "during this past winter, the contractor continued to be behind schedule and incurring LDs. We chose to alleviate them of the sidewalk work so there would be no further arguments over time or unnecessary risk to the oak trees."
The sidewalk work is expected to be finished with a separate contractor this winter.