VIDALIA — Vidalia is at risk of losing free renovations to its riverside district after the board of aldermen tabled again the recommendations of a traffic study.

The renovations recommended in the traffic study — bike lanes in some areas, parallel parking, speed bumps and other changes — for are free to Vidalia.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation both conducted the study and has offered to pay for the construction.

Mayor Buz Craft said the study was prompted by several complaints from residents in the riverside district, and that residents have had ample time to give feedback since the study was finished.

Since the traffic study was completed in late January, the board of aldermen have held several open meetings to discuss the project and now tabled approving the renovations twice.

As the end of the Louisiana legislative session looms nearer, city manager Bill Murray said the time to seize the funding is running out.

“It’s all about locking the money up right now,” Murray said. “The money is available now. If we keep waiting, it’ll be gone.”

Murray said he intended to give the transportation department confirmation of the study’s approval Wednesday, but with the item tabled again, he must put it off again.

In the regular meeting Tuesday, aesthetic issues and one resident’s concerns kept the plan from approval.

Alderwoman Sabrina Dore said she did not like some facets of the plan, such as the bollards that separate the parallel parking spot from the bike lane.

“My concern is the bollards,” she said. “I can’t get over the bollards.”

Dore said, were she to approve the plan, she would need surety that the aldermen could make changes to the construction.

Destiney Robb, a resident on one of the streets affected, Wilson Street, raised her concerns about the roadway to the aldermen.

Robb said the number of large trucks that pass by her home each day are both degrading the roadway and dangerous to her and others’ children.

“I walk my child to school every day …. What if one of those pieces of limestone they’re throwing off the road hit a child?” Robb said. “We’d like to see our historic district protected.”

Craft said the issue of 18-wheelers and other large trucks careening down the road was one of the reasons he asked for the study.

“They said that is the only truck route right now,” Craft said. “I hear you and if I was in that position I would feel that way. We’re going to have issues with the truck route no matter where it goes. I feel like we’re trying to do something that will address the speeding in that area and make the buses safer.”

Craft said the improvements to the road would add speed deterrents and would improve the area.

Alderman Tron McCoy said he could not vote to approve the study after hearing Robb’s comments.

“You’re listening to residents who live in this area and they have some concerns,” McCoy said. “Personally, I can’t vote for it. I’m listening to suffering.”

Alderman Robert Gardner made a motion to approve the plan, and Murray said there was no way the traffic study could alter the truck route, but McCoy’s mind was made up.

“There’s no way form or fashion that I can listen to suffering,” McCoy said. “Robert can make his motion and whoever’s going to second it will second it, but my vote will be no.”

Murray warned that the funds could be slipping away.

“They’re waiting tomorrow for me to report what ya’ll say,” he said. “They said let us know right after our meeting. Do we want to enhance our city and decide how we enhance it or do we let it go?”

The aldermen passed a motion to table the issue.