Been a while since I have posted, but figured I would jump in on this subject.
I tend to think of this as a "Westbank Expressway" replica. Sure an elevated expressway isn't the prettiest, but is it effective solution now, and will it continue to be effective in the future? In terms of easing traffic flow, I'm sure a 4-6 lane expressway and a 4 lane local traffic service road would satisfy the current traffic capacity, and would hopefully help revitalize parts of Airline Hwy that are currently more neglected. To me, the question is how will this be viewed in a decade? What will the city of Baton Rouge look like in terms of population growth and demographics.
Last point: what is the reality that the 190 bridge can handle the number of 18-wheelers that this "by-pass" will create. I sure as hell don't want to be on that bridge sandwiched between 2 large trucks...I can only drive in the left lane and can't pass a car on that bridge as it is...can it realistically handle regular 18-wheeler traffic?
Without building a completely new highway infrastructure, (which isn't necessarily a bad idea) this is the most reasonable, affordable and sustainable idea to finding an alternate traffic route through Baton Rouge.