LAPLACE — Cheryl Allnet, the general manager of French Riviera Fitness in LaPlace, has kept a wary eye on the major construction project taking place in front of her business.

For several weeks now, workers have been setting up road closures and breaking up pavement on the northbound lanes of Belle Terre Boulevard near Airline Highway as part of a drainage improvement project.

It has not been fun.

“There’s been a lot of dust all over the place,” Allnet said. “Right now it’s just inconvenient.”

That won’t be changing anytime soon.

Local and state officials announced the project has been put on hold, possibly for three weeks, while workers move a gas line.

“The gas company will have to come in and move that,” said Bambi Hall, public information officer for the Department of Transportation and Development. “It is a drainage project. Workers will continue work on the catch basins in the area for the next couple of weeks.”

Baileigh Rebowe Helm, communications director for St. John the Baptist Parish, said officials are monitoring the project.

“DOTD officials are working closely with the contractor and private utility company to relocate the line by Sept. 4 so that construction may resume,” Helm said.

“Capital W-O-W,” Allnet said upon hearing the news.

“Three weeks? That’s crazy.”

Orange cones, fencing and barrels currently block the right lane of the portion of Belle Terre Boulevard, which runs alongside Regions and First American banks and the nearby strip mall.

The road that leads into the Belle Terre Plaza mall, which includes Walmart, P.J.’s Coffee, the Fair Grounds OTB Casino and other shops, has a hefty bump but is otherwise passable.

The construction also runs in front of Sicily’s Italian Buffet, IHOP and the Post Office, but ends right before the entrance to Roussel’s.

Workers at P.J.’s Coffee said the project really hasn’t had any effect on the popular coffee shop because it’s rather far from the entrance.

The owners of Roussel’s Gifts expressed similar sentiments.

“It’s the price of progress,” said Amber Roussel, the owner of the popular local gift shop.

“We have to pass through it, but that’s just part of construction. I don’t have any complaints about it.”

Residents are urged to drive slowly and be on the lookout for work crews, signs and equipment. Intermittent lane closures are to be expected for the duration of the project.