Traffic Problems Caused by the Monroe Street Improvement Project

All citizens need to be aware that the Monroe Street Improvement Project is now underway. As a result, Monroe St. will be closed between Kingsbury Avenue and John Street for approximately two months to allow for the installation of new underground sewer and water lines. The entire intersection of Kingsbury Avenue and Monroe Street will also be closed to all traffic during that time.

There are more than ample signs to warn motorists of the road closure and notify them of possible detour routes to take to reach their destinations. However, many motorists are driving up to the construction area in the apparent belief that they can somehow get through, even the signs state that the road is closed. Monroe Street is in fact closed between Kingsbury Avenue and John Street and there are no alternate routes once motorists get up into that immediate area and no legal way for motorists to turn around.

Instead, the La Porte Police Department is encouraging people to use alternate routes such as Boyd Boulevard, State Road 2 or US 35 to avoid the area entirely. Officers from the La Porte Police Department will be monitoring the traffic situation in the affected area and if motorists are found to be ignoring detour signs, traversing private property to avoid the construction zone or otherwise violating traffic laws; enforcement action will be taken against any violators.

We take construction zone safety very seriously because it is not only an issue for the motorist; but also for the construction workers as well as area residents. Besides, motorists can make their trips a lot easier by planning ahead a little bit or just following the detour signs.