(The Center Square) – Bossier City’s infrastructure investment plan has shifted priority toward transportation and engineering as city officials tackle growth and development.
The new $188 million five-year capital projects plan gained unanimous city council approval last month. The vote to approve passed without any discussion.
The city plans to spend $58.6 million more than the previous year’s plan, which amounts to nearly a 70% increase in proposed spending over the next five years.
Neither Mayor Tommy Chandler’s office nor Chief Administrative Officer Shane Cheatham provided additional details when asked by The Center Square.
Capital projects are large-scale investments to improve, expand or add infrastructure. They are typically funded by tax revenue, bonds, grants and capital reserves. They’re designed to, among other things, support business development, add or improve roads and bridges, ensure public safety, address flood control and shape growth.
The budget for transportation is $81 million, an increase of $47.4 million over last year’s plan. The largest expenditures include Viking Drive improvements, citywide street improvements and the Modica Road Loop.
The second-highest category is $37.6 million for engineering, amounting to a 64% increase. Spending includes $20 million for the indoor sports venue, $8.5 million for the Swan Lake waterline extension, $6 million for Interstate 20 exit improvements and $4 million for the City Hall annex.
Spending for drinking water improvements decreased by just over $5 million, from $24.5 million to $19.2 million in the new plan. Some project timelines shifted while several others are no longer listed, which could mean that various projects were completed last year.
Public works and building maintenance are relatively unchanged. Parks and recreation saw a slight dip, while sewer upgrades increased by 84%, or about $3.4 million.
