PRAIRIEVILLE - Homeowners who live along Highway 73 in Ascension Parish are crossing their fingers for construction to wrap up by the end of this month, as promised.

"Dust, dust, dust," said Nina Boftwick, "I'm waiting 'til they get through, so I can have my house washed down." 

For over four years, construction crews have been installing a new sewer system and turn lane on Highway 73, from Airline Highway to Interstate 10.

A DOTD spokesman told WBRZ the turn lane should be ready by the end of September or the first week of October.

However, crews will continue to work on the sewer system for an indefinite amount of time. DOTD says this should not cause any traffic because the crews will be behind the curb.

"The thing is we are going to be done and I know it was some time of when people were put out a bit but in the long run, the parish, the state, is going to get a new sewer system which is you know very important," said Rodney Mallett, DOTD spokesman.

The project cost approximately $18 million - three million more than originally expected.

Mallet says the contractor will likely face no fines for the delays. 

"I can tell you based on the sheer size of this project and the weather that was incurred, that most of those days have been legitimate requests for additional time," said Mallett.