Drivers, Farmers and Fishermen Suffer After Road Collapse

Julys heavy rain created more of a problem in Gilliam, Louisiana than just slick roads. It actually caused Gilliam Scott Slough Road.to collapse. You will find it between Adger road and Community near 71. The road remains in disrepair and there is an even bigger and deadlier problem. People living there say you can smell death. Rotting fish are floating in the bayou--- bringing vultures and bugs. As NBC 6 News reporter Jenna Zibton found out the problem is far from being fixed. Jim Manners drove from Shreveport to have lunch in Gilliam. "We turned off here and saw that they have the road closed on us. And i didnt know that. So now im going to have to go all the way around." Driving in Gilliam takes a little longer. Instead of going down Gilliam Scott Slough Road now theres a detour, something farmer Stephen Logan does not like. "It makes it very unhandy during harvest. All our cotton trucks have to go around and the road were having to use to go around its very small and its really tearing the other little road up." But drivers are not the only ones frustrated. Farmers and fishermen will take a hit if the problem is not fixed soon. Logan says without the water fish could die. Maggots are flocking to the Red Bayou and feasting on dead fish. He says the fish started dying after the road fell in, dropping the water level six feet. The water drop means no water for their crops so farmers need it fixed quickly. But District One Caddo Parrish Commissioner Doug Dominick says it is not that simple. "Its not something we can just go out there and fix its going to be a major project. And the parrish is working on that to try and get it done as quickly as possible." Right now he thinks it will take about two months. But Logan says "Its a pretty hazadeous situation right here. Id like to see it made a higher priority than this."