Mark Kerry

Background

About Mark Kerry

My number one focus will be improvement of our roads and infrastructure. The roads in the Parish are terrible as Natchitoches Parish is on the wrong end of most lists concerning infrastructure investment and the impact is severe. Natchitoches Parish citizens pay some of the highest automobile insurance rates and significantly more for automobile repairs because of bad roads. Since agriculture (mostly logging) is the largest industry that uses the roads in District 5, the maintenance of an efficient, reliable infrastructure system is critical to the success of our agriculture. Additionally, we know that infrastructure is linked to rural development and good roads help sustain jobs associated with agriculture and logging. So, without it, Natchitoches Parish will not grow economically and will continue to see a declining population. But as you well know, Natchitoches Parish roads and other infrastructure that supports agriculture is inadequate and has experienced extreme wear and tear over the years. Accordingly, here are some of the things I will strive to do to fix our roads:(1) Using a team approach of local and regional elected officials, meet with the Louisiana Department of Transportation Development (DOTD) Executive Staff and Advisory Councils to reprioritize the Department’s goals, objectives, and funding of certain roads within Natchitoches Parish as pertaining to the Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP).(2) Meet with our state senator and representative and determine which Natchitoches Parish roads (both State and Parish maintained roads) and infrastructure that should be included in the State Capital Outlay Program for legislative approval and funding.(3) Work with our state senator and representative to ensure road improvements are adequate to understand the area’s truck demands and to handle the significantly heavier vehicular loads. Road improvements should consider the ability of the underlying soils to support loads, the type and availability of construction materials, and the degree of loading to be accommodated. DOTD must factor into the TAMP calculus the number one industry in our area and how it must be supported with adequate roads.(4) Look for additional resources to substantially reduce the backlog of road rehabilitation needs in the Parish.(5) Be forward-thinking and look for infrastructure solutions to attract and support economic expansion and job creation.