Chamber discusses Hwy. 167 improvements

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The Evangeline Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting Tuesday at which time it heard from one of its members about improvements coming to U.S. Hwy 167.
“The governor has approved some funding for shoulder widening, shoulder resurfacing, and a complete resurfacing of 167,” said Wayne Vidrine. “We’re no quite sure yet if it’s from the interstate all the way to the city limits, but for sure it’s from the parish line all the way to the city limits of Ville Platte. In addition to that, they are working on acquiring the rights of way to straighten out the big S-curve where so many have gotten killed and hurt in wrecks.”
He continued, “ I know some of our friends on the northern end of the parish were a little bit disappointed they didn’t get any money appropriated there, but we’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep working really hard to try to get that second phase done.”
Staying on the topic of infrastructure, President-Elect Peter Strawitz outlined his goals as president for the coming year which include continuing relationships between the chamber and the political leadership. “I think if we can continue that then good things like Hwy 167 will certainly come our way,” he said. “It’s going to take involvement and tenacity to push our leaders in the legislature to get us those monies back here. Instead of being a donor parish, we need to get some of those tax dollars back.”
In other business, the chamber heard from current president Luke Deville as he recapped the past year and from Executive Director Renee Brown as she went through the effectiveness of the two clean up days. Brown also announced the Annual Awards and Membership Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27.