PARKS, La. (KLFY) – DOTD crews began working on a section of LA 31 in St. Martin Parish in February.

They are repaving a four mile stretch from LA 351 to LA 350 in Parks.

“Almost every road in St. Martin Parish needs a little help,” said Ronnie Rogers of West Monroe.

“What they need to do is resurface everything. If that’s what’s they’re doing that’s fine. That’d make me happy,” Rogers Romero of New Iberia said.

DOTD District Administrator Bill Oliver said the old concrete roadway will be patched and overlaid to prevent the new asphalt from cracking.

“We get a much more durable roadway. Less fatigue. Longer lasting,” Oliver explained.

“Costs a little bit more money but we get much more life out of the roadway.”

Crews are also replacing drainage structures along the road.  The new structures are meant to keep water from building up and reduce flooding.    

Drivers can expect temporary lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

The DOTD said the $2.7 million project should be completed by this November.

And some drivers say the traffic delays will be worth it in the end.

“It’s not too bad but we can deal with it, we can deal with it,” said Oran Joseph of Parks.

“Not a problem,” Ronnie Rogers said as he was stopped in traffic. 

“Not if it gets better,” his passenger interjected. 

“It’s well worth it,” Rogers continued. “Improvement are well worth waiting for.”

The DOTD said drivers can use LA 347 as an alternate route between Parks and Breaux Bridge.