It looks like our traffic problem is finally going to be over... in about a decade. I found an article in the Livingston Parish News this morning that addresses our problem and tells what's being done about it.
It looks like I-12 is going to be widened from the O'neal exit to the Walker exit. Denham Springs Mayor Jimmy Durbin says, "The widening of I-12 will be on the agenda of the September 4, MPO meeting." State Senator Clo Fontenot claims that the engineering of I-12 could take five years. Now my favorite... Representative Dale Erdey says, "we aren't taking ‘no' for an answer." Let's get some more of that attitude going.
Then there is the loop around Baton Rouge. Anyone I talk to about this subject gives me the same answer... "They've been saying that for years. It will never happen." But, I don't think the problem has ever been this bad. After Hurricane Katrina, the area's accident rate rose 50 percent over the national average, and it is still 40 percent higher, a reflection of increased crowding on main arteries of traffic. EBR Mayor Kip Holden said, "It's going to happen." I can only hope the people we have in office right now mean what they say and aren't just fishing for more votes by pretending to care. Loop engineers, who have not yet selected a route yet, say they plan on breaking ground in 6 years and collecting tolls in 10.
So for now all we can do is sit in traffic and daydream about what things will be like 10 years from now.
Loop designers will be at North Park on Eden Church Rd with map displays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., taking down public comments. So show up, and tell them what you think. You can get maps, meeting dates, and other progress being made on the Baton Rouge Loop Implementation Plan at http://www.brloop.com/
I'll see you on the interstate parking lot.
See the entire article online here: Toll road routes to be unveiled at Sept. 11 meeting
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