Baton Rouge Transportation

[richyb83]

Ummm..duh...but let's build a new beautiful Bridge that hardly gets any traffic 40 miles to the north 1st??

  If i can get correct map to show up...CHECK out OPTION #3 Widening Hwy 30 from I-10/Gonzales building a new bridge near Addis then connecting Hwy 415 in WBR w new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway ( a southern by-pass)......as far as everything else....20 years too late....the surrounding rural areas are now filled with subdivisions....not as easy to drive a big wedge thru Walker/Watson/Central; etc  My semi-loop for Western Livingston/along w Ascension/Livingston parkway..could work that way...

CRISIS recommends regional projects to unclog traffic congestion in Capital City; biggest benefit would come from new Mississippi River bridge

http://theadvocate.com/news/14756663-100/crisis-recommends-regional-projects-to-unclog-traffic-congestion-in-capital-city

 

Edited February 4, 2016 by richyb83

[dan326]

I'm still holding out for them to upgrade Airline, and that bypass would definitely be nice... So I vote for #4 lol .

[Mr. Burnham]

11 hours ago, richyb83 said:

 

Can I vote for 1, 2, 3, and 4?

[richyb83]

Yeah..really...no need to limit opitions....ALL THE ABOVE!

>Except.....Check-out that one option for the bridge looping waaay under Plaquemine!  What IDIOTS! Those the same brilliant minds that designed the single-lane on I-10 at the Miss River Bridge?? That bridge needs to go up further North toward Addis...but the WBR/Iberville politrixters will end up screwing it up

While Airline Hwy needs to be widened from the bridge to Gonzales...not sold on the "Inner Loop"...HOW would it tie-into I-10 South??  Esp when the new proposed fancy interchange abt to be built at I-10/Pecue Lane  would NOT WORK/be adequate

BR is unique situation geographically that has fed these major traffic problems... being a deep-water port city(father inland city in U.S.) requires some BIG TIME Bridges that are not as easy $$$  to build;  like Shreveport that has an excellent Loop/By-pass system...but the much smaller Red River is not the MAJOR obstacle the Mighty Mississip is!

BTW apologize for the LARGE/BOLD print on the above post...it was unintentional...when i copied Title of Article 1st..wanted to respond...couldn't fix font

Edited February 5, 2016 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

What is a commuter route? And why does it only go so far into EBR?

I wish they would drop the whole BUMP marketing scheme, it'll never function as a loop! I think it's a solid plan for Airline but they are lying about it's function.

I think a new bridge around Addis is absolutely necessary though.

 

[cajun]

On 2/4/2016 at 0:51 PM, richyb83 said:

Ummm..duh...but let's build a new beautiful Bridge that hardly gets any traffic 40 miles to the north 1st??

  If i can get correct map to show up...CHECK out OPTION #3 Widening Hwy 30 from I-10/Gonzales building a new bridge near Addis then connecting Hwy 415 in WBR w new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway ( a southern by-pass)......as far as everything else....20 years too late....the surrounding rural areas are now filled with subdivisions....not as easy to drive a big wedge thru Walker/Watson/Central; etc  My semi-loop for Western Livingston/along w Ascension/Livingston parkway..could work that way...

CRISIS recommends regional projects to unclog traffic congestion in Capital City; biggest benefit would come from new Mississippi River bridge

http://theadvocate.com/news/14756663-100/crisis-recommends-regional-projects-to-unclog-traffic-congestion-in-capital-city

 

I think this may be a Pipe dream for the next 4 years after seeing some of JBE's appointments.  

Also, I'm not sure Airline needs to be a full expressway, but I do think it needs to be widened to 6 (or 8) lanes with a wider median, restricted left turns (separate U-turn lanes), overpasses over the rail road at Choctaw, and the replacement of some lights with overpasses.   An overlay district with sign and development restrictions, sidewalks, bust stops, and zoning would help transform the area from a weird industrial/retail mix to something more in line with what is needed today.  Not every business needs 8 driveway aprons and curb cuts onto airline - especially near intersections.  

How can we expect any investment into that part of town when the state and feds won't even spend the money to upgrade the main road.   We complain about sprawl....yet totally ignore serious traffic problems in the city.   It should not take 45+ minutes to get from Highland to the airport along Airline even during rush hour.

However..............

That being said....it's absurd that we have all these traffic problems on the I-10 bridge with an under-utilized bridge that's just a real PITA to get to- especially on the BR side.  Airline is just not efficient enough to move traffic the way it should in it's current form.   It was never intended as a retail or commercial artery.   North Baton Rouge's main street is Plank, not Airline.  

Airline featured clover leaf interchanges over Florida, Greenwell Springs, and Plank long before it was so poorly developed.   Returning it to status as a through-way is probably more beneficial to Baton Rouge than a loop running all the way through Livingston.  

This has to be done carefully.  Service roads need to be added, and exits need to be strategically placed to ensure vehicles travel on the service roads in front of businesses for the maximum amount of time before their exit....and on ramps should be fairly sparse.   U-turn lanes should be at every overpass.   Service roads should feature sidewalks and bus stops.   Sound walls should be placed in or near residential areas, but NOT where they'd block visibility to existing businesses.   The freeway itself should not be elevated, and should be at the same grade (though physically separated by curb or barrier) as the service roads.  

I think there's enough right of way to handle a 4 or 6 lane turnpike on the ground with 3 lanes of service road in each direction. 

 

As for the southern bridge.  It's needed (ideally around Addis), and there's no way around it.   Highway 30 needs to be significantly upgraded as well as LA1 on the west bank.

Edited February 9, 2016 by cajun

[cajun]

On 2/4/2016 at 1:30 PM, dan326 said:

I'm still holding out for them to upgrade Airline, and that bypass would definitely be nice... So I vote for #4 lol .

Making Airline more efficient without hurting the businesses along the route is the most important short to medium term project along with the I-10 widening IMO. 

Like a lot of things....it isn't a lack of awareness that holds the most populated parish the state back.   The problem the lack of funding and political muscle to gain priority over some projects in other metros.   East Baton Rouge is home to 450,000 people, and it doesn't get anywhere near the funding it needs from the state or the feds.    The parish has actually taxed itself via referendum to upgrade and improve state highways within it's borders....and the state largely ignores it even when they aren't completely cash strapped.

Edited February 9, 2016 by cajun

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD public meetings I-10 corridor improvement study Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the I-10 Corridor Improvement Study Project Team will conduct three Public Meetings to discuss proposed improvements to the I-10 Corridor in Baton Rouge. This project is currently in the planning stage and a feasibility study is being prepared. The Public Meetings will be offered at three sites, over three days, with the closet location to Downtown being the McKinley Middle Magnet School, 1550 Eddie Robinson Sr. Dr., Baton Rouge LA on Monday, February 22, 6-8PM. Other dates: Tuesday, February 23 from 6-8PM Addis Community Center, 7520 Highway 1 South Addis, LA 70710 Thursday, February 25 from 6-8PM Baton Rouge Marriott, 5500 Hilton Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70808

I-10 Meetings > website >

[ehyfield]

The pictures don't show up on my screen. What are these meetings about specifically?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[richyb83]

The Public Meetings are for proposed improvements to the I-10 Corridor in Baton Rouge, from Essen Lane to LA 415 in Port Allen, LA

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

tram video > website >

 

https://youtu.be/PpGeDDNOnRA

 

 

Edited February 27, 2016 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

I really wish they would hold these on Sundays or Saturdays. 

[cajun]

On 2/27/2016 at 9:15 AM, Antrell Williams said:

I really wish they would hold these on Sundays or Saturdays. 

Then people with jobs during the week would show up and ask difficult questions like "how do we pay for this?".

[Antrell Williams]

1 hour ago, cajun said:

Then people with jobs during the week would show up and ask difficult questions like "how do we pay for this?".

You'll get the default answer. Searching for funding options from bonds, grants, and federal dollars....etc

[cajun]

1 hour ago, Antrell Williams said:

You'll get the default answer. Searching for funding options from bonds, grants, and federal dollars....etc

Default runaround.   There's a reason NIMBY's are either old housewives, jobless people, or the motorized scooter/social security brigade.  They are often the only ones that have time to actually get organized.  

If actual taxpayers with real income had an opportunity to get involved with local politics, governments would never be able to waste money.   It's best to keep those types away if there aren't good answers to questions like "is there really a need for this now?" or "how do we pay for this?".    Organizers of flawed projects don't want people like you go ask real questions.....there's always a chance you identify major flaws in their work.  Project blueprint phases should always bring ALL stakeholders together, and that's about where they are with the street car.   Meeting at 10AM on a Tuesday would be kind of their way of saying that they could give a crap what actual taxpayers think. 

Meeting at 5PM and 630PM is, IMO, an effort to do just that....so maybe they are serious about vetting this idea.    I can certainly think of some very good questions to ask about transit in Baton Rouge:

• Was urban gondolas a serious suggestion?  If so, why have you all not been forced to resign or at least apologize to taxpayers that actually have to use Baton Rouge's street network and horrible bus system?
• Will CATS have anything to do with the street car operation, scheduling, maintenance, or planning?   If so, what the hell are you thinking?
• Where will the street car maintenance and staging area be (north of downtown, south of LSU, etc.) and why?
• Do they envision street cars as being light rail transportation devices that are physically separated from automobile traffic lanes or will they be subject to daily traffic jams? 
• Will street cars be able to use a remote device to change traffic light signals to maximize the amount of time they spend moving?
• Can they add additional cars easily for days with high demand? 
• Why not hold public meetings at LSU, encouraging faculty and students to contribute to this discussion since a proposed street car route will run right through campus?
• Will the cars be handicapped accessible without the need for elaborate passenger platforms?  Will they be climate controlled?
• Has anyone involved in the planning process actually been to Houston and used their main rail line between downtown and the medical district (once the only self-sustaining transit lines in the country)?
• How do they intend to sell this to the voters and market it to riders?
• How does the city/parish intend to pay for the maintenance and upkeep for the street cars if ridership doesn't meet expectations?

Edited February 28, 2016 by cajun

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

fact sheet > website >

[Mr. Burnham]

Like that TramLinkBR logo.

[richyb83]

Finishing widening Old Hammond Hwy; Perkins Rd; Nicholson Dr; & Staring Extension should be first priority

East Baton Rouge exploring road transfer with state that could provide millions for transportation projects

http://theadvocate.com/news/16236110-123/east-baton-rouge-exploring-road-transfer-with-state-that-could-provide-millions-for-transportation-p

Edited July 4, 2016 by richyb83

[richyb83]

There is a "I-10 to be Widened tomorrow" thread buried pages back...didn't know to change name to the "Official I-10" thread?  So...Just put this promising news here in Transportation  thread  instead

Louisiana receives federal grant funds to ease I-10 congestion

Louisiana will receive $60 million in FASTLANE grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will go toward widening a part of Interstate 10 near Lafayette, thus allowing the state to use the money originally allocated for that project to build a new Washington Street exit in Baton Rouge. The existing Washington Street exit creates a major bottleneck of vehicles coming off the Mississippi River Bridge.

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration applied for $100 million in FASTLANE grant money earlier this year to help ease the state’s massive transportation construction backlog of more than $12 billion.

“Bringing our federal tax dollars back to Louisiana to improve our infrastructure is a no-brainer,” Edwards says in a statement.

Shawn Wilson, secretary of the state Department of Transportation and Development, says it could cost roughly $18 million to $25 million to build a new Washington Street exit on the left side of I-10, and that project could get started in late 2017 or early 2018.

Without environmental clearance from the feds, Wilson says he cannot close the existing Washington Street exit, but can only point people away from it and onto the new exit. “It’s kind of the first step to adding a new one.”

https://www.businessreport.com/article/louisiana-receives-federal-grant-funds-ease-10-congestions

http://theadvocate.com/news/16315102-37/louisiana-to-receive-60-million-federal-grant-for-atchafalaya-basin-and-washington-street-exit-proje

Edited July 6, 2016 by richyb83

[cajun]

On 7/4/2016 at 1:53 PM, richyb83 said:

Finishing widening Old Hammond Hwy; Perkins Rd; Nicholson Dr; & Staring Extension should be first priority

East Baton Rouge exploring road transfer with state that could provide millions for transportation projects

http://theadvocate.com/news/16236110-123/east-baton-rouge-exploring-road-transfer-with-state-that-could-provide-millions-for-transportation-p

This map reminds me how much area EBR has to grow.   Wish it were somehow prioritized over growth in Livingston and Ascension.   There just isn't any actual infrastructure up there in the NE corner of EBR.

12 hours ago, richyb83 said:

There is a "I-10 to be Widened tomorrow" thread buried pages back...didn't know to change name to the "Official I-10" thread?  So...Just put this promising news here in Transportation  thread  instead

Louisiana receives federal grant funds to ease I-10 congestion

Louisiana will receive $60 million in FASTLANE grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will go toward widening a part of Interstate 10 near Lafayette, thus allowing the state to use the money originally allocated for that project to build a new Washington Street exit in Baton Rouge. The existing Washington Street exit creates a major bottleneck of vehicles coming off the Mississippi River Bridge.

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration applied for $100 million in FASTLANE grant money earlier this year to help ease the state’s massive transportation construction backlog of more than $12 billion.

“Bringing our federal tax dollars back to Louisiana to improve our infrastructure is a no-brainer,” Edwards says in a statement.

Shawn Wilson, secretary of the state Department of Transportation and Development, says it could cost roughly $18 million to $25 million to build a new Washington Street exit on the left side of I-10, and that project could get started in late 2017 or early 2018.

Without environmental clearance from the feds, Wilson says he cannot close the existing Washington Street exit, but can only point people away from it and onto the new exit. “It’s kind of the first step to adding a new one.”

https://www.businessreport.com/article/louisiana-receives-federal-grant-funds-ease-10-congestions

http://theadvocate.com/news/16315102-37/louisiana-to-receive-60-million-federal-grant-for-atchafalaya-basin-and-washington-street-exit-proje

One of the most misleading titles I've seen in a while.   Read between the lines. 

Funds for a federal grant earmarked for Baton Rouge traffic mitigation will be spent in rural Louisiana so that the capital area can be placed on a back burner by state leadership hostile to region's best interest.    

 

DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH.  Relief isn't coming any time soon. 

Edited July 6, 2016 by cajun

[richyb83]

Nicholson Drive projects to get first shot at $71.5 million in road credits

There are eight local projects, and the top four are all located on the Nicholson Drive corridor. The top priority is repairing the roads around the future Water Campus (35-acre research facility is under construction) — Terrace, Oklahoma, Gila, Aztec and Emma streets.

The second objective is to widen Nicholson itself between Interstate 10 and the north gate of LSU. After that, money will go toward providing matching funds for grants to build the proposed downtown-LSU tram, which is planned to run along Nicholson. The fourth goal is to extend Staring Lane so it intersects with Nicholson near L'Auberge Casino.

Any money left over after Nicholson's various improvements will go toward improving arterial roads such as Airline Highway, Lobdell Boulevard and Greenwell Springs Road north of their intersections with Florida Boulevard, and performing work on other north Baton Rouge thoroughfares such as Plank Road. Afterward, the credit will fund construction of an Interstate 10 interchange at Pecue Lane, and whatever is left will be handed over to the parish's Green Light Plan

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_bff5c434-5500-11e6-966d-a723b78ed5a7.html

[Antrell Williams]

All great news. Why would Nicholson need to be widened? I'm guessing to get the tram a designated ROW instead of being in the driving lanes?

[richyb83]

Good question Antrell....that would be my guess too.

[cajun]

On 7/31/2016 at 11:52 AM, Antrell Williams said:

All great news. Why would Nicholson need to be widened? I'm guessing to get the tram a designated ROW instead of being in the driving lanes?

 

The level of stupidity would be off the charts if they go through all of this and either cut capacity of Nicholson or create a street car system that was subject to the stop and go automotive traffic.   This absolutely should NOT share lanes with cars.

 

 

BTW....Anyone else wondering why I-12 is being widened to 6 lanes in Livingston while a major parallel artery, US 190, is seeing no investment into capacity expansion?   Same with Airline and I-10 in Ascension and East Baton Rouge.    I get that all of these highways are functionally obsolete, but why does the Baton Rouge area not see any real investment in federal or state funded surface street.....ever?

Edited August 1, 2016 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

2 hours ago, cajun said:

 

The level of stupidity would be off the charts if they go through all of this and either cut capacity of Nicholson or create a street car system that was subject to the stop and go automotive traffic.   This absolutely should NOT share lanes with cars.

 

 

BTW....Anyone else wondering why I-12 is being widened to 6 lanes in Livingston while a major parallel artery, US 190, is seeing no investment into capacity expansion?   Same with Airline and I-10 in Ascension and East Baton Rouge.    I get that all of these highways are functionally obsolete, but why does the Baton Rouge area not see any real investment in federal or state funded surface street.....ever?

I wouldn't be too surprised, especially considering it would be cheaper and faster. 

I would guess because of all the traffic on I-12 versus 190. I travel I-12 daily going to and from Hammond and it probably will need to be widened the whole way within a decade. 

I still agree though, both Airline and Florida could relieve much of the traffic on both interstates if rebuilt correctly.