Madison Parish jury backs USDOT safety plan and bike-trail grant applications

The Madison Parish Police Jury on May 13 adopted two resolutions supporting outside grant applications aimed at regional safety planning and trail development.

Resolution No. 2024-5, offered by Mr. Johnny Hughes and seconded by Mr. Jerry Hicks, supports the submission of an application by the Delta Agriculture Research and Sustainability District to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY23 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program to conduct a regional safety plan. The resolution also authorizes the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to provide parish-specific data necessary for the application.

Resolution No. 2024-6, also offered by Mr. Hughes and seconded by Mr. Hicks, supports a grant application by the Delta Bike Trail Commission to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (Office of State Parks, Division of Outdoor Recreation) under the FHWA Recreational Trails Program to construct a connector trail and/or trailhead within the parish to improve access to the Delta Bike Trail currently under study by DOTD.

Both resolutions were adopted by unanimous vote (Hicks, Ogden, Wilson, Hughes, Sanders). The motions recorded no discussion in the meeting minutes and direct the administration to provide any necessary parish data to the respective applicants.

If funded, the SS4A award would support a regional safety planning process; the Recreational Trails Program grant would support construction of trail infrastructure to improve local recreation and connectivity. The jury’s votes are advisory in the sense that they support external applicants and enable data-sharing rather than obligating parish funds.