Construction at Johnston and Camellia Almost Finished

Posted: Feb 11, 2011 10:46 PM by Maddie Garrett
Updated: Feb 11, 2011


Construction on a major intersection in Lafayette is about to clear up, but does that mean the end of traffic headaches for drivers and business owners? Lafayette officials will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at the intersection of Johnston and Guilbeau and Camellia Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. to signify the end of a project that's taken almost a year to finish.
Lafayette business owner Ramzi Nassour said it's been a long year of construction and has only one way to describe it.
"Chaos. We've been having a lot of issues with people crossing the parking lot, violating some of the rules but it really puts us also at risk," said Nassour
For Nassour and others who work right at this intersection, the end of construction should be a good thing.
"It's been hectic and very confusing," said Dominique Woodfork, works and lives off of Guilbeau.
"It's doesn't much for the business to be honest with you," said Nassour.
But is there a light at the end of the road, one that doesn't blink orange?
"When I see it I believe it," said Nassour.
The new design that's almost complete is called a "Continuous Flow Intersection" and has proved successful in similar intersections in Baton Rouge. But Woodfork, who lives and works right on the intersection every day, doesn't think traffic is going to clear up.
"No it's not it's still hard, it's still hard maneuvering through this traffic," she said.
While others think the new flow of traffic and separated turn lanes will just take some getting used to.
"It should be better, because the flow of the traffic from that side coming this way is going to be much better. Plus now I have a red light in front of the store," said Nassour.
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