Perils Of Private Roads
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Approximately 20 households located down Carrington Road are combating a problem that is familiar throughout St. Landry Parish.
Like other residents who inhabit private roads that are not maintained by parish work crews, those on Carrington Road struggle with obtaining proper drainage, first responders, garbage collection and mail delivery.
Private roads parishwide are normally in deplorable shape, since those that live on them have to pay their own money to sustain or upgrade roadway conditions.
Carrington Road, located off La. 178 in the Shuteston area, is usually muddy and basically impassable even during dry spells, says John Lewis, who lives down a quarter of a mile off the unpaved roadway.
Lewis appeared before the Parish Council last week and asked a Finance and Administrative Committee for private road assistance.
“We need help,” said Lewis.
At this point the Council has admitted in other meetings that private road assistance in St. Landry includes grading, gravel and deeper roadside ditches to enhance water runoff.
However a parishwide ordinance, similar to those in other parishes, forbids that kind of private road help.
It’s the current opinion of most council members that land owners who sold the lots along private roads to landowners living on their borders, should bear the expense of fixing problematic roads that they own.
It’s unclear whether the Parish Council has the authority to force owners of private roads to maintain their roadways. Rural parish roads have standards that must be met to be included into the parish road system.
Council member Timothy LeJeune, who represents the election district that includes Carrington Road, told Lewis that the Council is powerless legally to administer any help
“I know that (Carrington Road) is like a Third World country over there. I know the situation there and we are going to work on it,” LeJeune said.
During a discussion with Lewis after the committee meetings, council member Nancy Carriere said private road repair is a prevalent issue.
“You are not alone. This is statewide. The property owners are the ones who need to be held accountable,” Carriere told Lewis
Lewis said the Carrington Road owner initially was diligent in providing the necessary upkeep, but that help has since disappeared.
“The owner had someone maintaining the road. Right now he’s not doing anything for us. The garbage trucks have broken axles coming down our road and we have a lot of elderly who need help.
“We can’t afford to do a lot. The ditches are the same levels as the roads, so the drainage is bad. Please, can you help us?” Lewis asked Carriere.
