Baton Rouge finds itself in need of a significant transformation for its roadways. This is a need that Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has recently addressed through an ambitious plan.
This plan has a substantial budget of $25.6 million and a clear vision to enhance road safety and overall infrastructure.
The proposed action plan follows two distinct phases. It meticulously prioritizes the selection of roads for rehabilitation based on their current condition, daily traffic volume and the urgency of nearby streets that require attention. The goal is to address the most pressing issues promptly and efficiently.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this initiative is its commitment to quality. Rather than relying on temporary fixes, the plan allocates additional funds from the Road to Rehabilitate Program to carry out extensive repaving. Streets that are beyond simple patching will receive the attention they need, ensuring that these roads can serve the community for years to come.
Enhancing safety is a paramount concern of the project. An additional $1.5 million will go to re-striping and repainting, with a particular focus on markers to aid drivers, especially during the night. Approximately 22,000 markers will be strategically placed on roadways to make nighttime driving safer and more convenient. Since 50% of car accident fatalities occur at night, this is a big step towards safer roads.
It is essential to remember that this road rehabilitation project will run concurrently with two other significant initiatives: the MoveBR project and the I-10 Widening Project. These parallel endeavors collectively aim to enhance the transportation infrastructure of Baton Rouge, ensuring smoother and safer commutes for its residents.
Baton Rouge’s road rehabilitation initiative is a beacon of hope for residents seeking safer and more efficient roadways. As Phase One kicks off later this year, the city can look forward to better, safer and more reliable streets.