Proposed I-410

[Antrell Williams]

http://theadvocate.com/news/3872027-123/avoiding-carmageddon

AVOIDING ‘CARMAGEDDON’

BR’s traffic problems in sharp focus in race for mayor

Do any of you agree with candidate Mike Walker's ideas for many private companies coming in and running their own bypasses all over the Greater BR area? I'm not sure I do, sounds like cronies to help get him in office. In the future they would just add more congestion where these bypasses would end, causing another faucet of traffic problems in the capital city.

[itsjustme3]

This may sound kinda crazy, but I would just extend Bluebonnet Blvd all the way across the river and connect it to LA 1, with LA 1 being upgraded to a freeway connecting to the proposed LA 415 Extension road.

No chance of happening.

[cajun]

http://theadvocate.com/news/3872027-123/avoiding-carmageddon

AVOIDING ‘CARMAGEDDON’

BR’s traffic problems in sharp focus in race for mayor

Do any of you agree with candidate Mike Walker's ideas for many private companies coming in and running their own bypasses all over the Greater BR area? I'm not sure I do, sounds like cronies to help get him in office. In the future they would just add more congestion where these bypasses would end, causing another faucet of traffic problems in the capital city.

How much different is between the two candidates on this? The freeways within the city work well in other areas, but can disrupt neighborhoods.

I definately support toll roads in principle, but like any other road, it isn't hard to screw them up.

I'd have to see a detailed plan to form an honest opinion.

[Antrell Williams]

How much different is between the two candidates on this? The freeways within the city work well in other areas, but can disrupt neighborhoods.

I definately support toll roads in principle, but like any other road, it isn't hard to screw them up.

I'd have to see a detailed plan to form an honest opinion.

Mike Walker wants multiple toll roads, in the area to redirect traffic while Kip want's a loop. Neither are very good ideas to me.

[cajun]

Mike Walker wants multiple toll roads, in the area to redirect traffic while Kip want's a loop. Neither are very good ideas to me.

Well, Kip's idea isn't going to happen as much as I support it.

Is there a link or some sort of plan that Walker will reveal on his platform? A cursory google search indicates that he either doesn't have details or hasn't provided them yet.

On the bright side, both candidates are focused on traffic and crime.

[Antrell Williams]

Well, Kip's idea isn't going to happen as much as I support it.

Is there a link or some sort of plan that Walker will reveal on his platform? A cursory google search indicates that he either doesn't have details or hasn't provided them yet.

On the bright side, both candidates are focused on traffic and crime.

A southern bypass could very well happen. Voting demographics would allow for it and I'm positive Iberville wants the economic activity in their parish the the ensuing growth.

I don't believe Walker has any definite plans, because he wants private companies to own these roads and referred to the proposed Livingston to Ascension toll road as an example.

What I don't like is that neither are talking about connectivity whatsoever, that is a major key for improved inner-city traffic flow and even more economic growth in the city and parish.

A candidate not focused on these topics would have no chance, the only other topic one could spend a majority of time on is continued education reform.

[cajun]

Meh....connectivity is politically sticky. If I supported it, I'd keep my mouth shut in an election year if I were a candidate.

When one of these guys insists that we should widen and improve Airline and Florida, then I'll start listening. The "toll roads" is a legitimate platform issue, but as you said....can't release too many details since the private sector will determine the feasibility of the routes.

Central owes their existance and schools to Holden, and the mayor pretty much ran a campaign designed to appeal to suburban white voters. Baring some kind of scandal, he's going to walk away with it either way.

[Antrell Williams]

Can you explain why connectivity is such a controversial issue? More investment in the city viewed as bad, especially after the new taxes with CATS and the Green Light Plan?

Widening Airline and Florida are a given, no real advantage given to either candidate there. While the toll roads are legitimate, if they soon become clogged, then it won't help the private companies operating them. Perhaps they would offer tags like those used on Houston's toll roads, where you subscribe so that if and when it gets just as congested, the companies won't lose as much money.

Yes, even with the frustration that Kip has received that past few years I believe he will still be in office come election day.

[cajun]

The word "connectivity" will bring up questions of expropriation since it often requires building roads and sidewalks through or between existing neighborhoods.....which is something every politician will avoid regardless of their belief. It also usually invites questions on how they will be paid for, which neither candidate can answer in a way that is popular.

Just because it needs to be discussed doesn't mean it will. It's a very sticky issue.

[Antrell Williams]

The word "connectivity" will bring up questions of expropriation since it often requires building roads and sidewalks through or between existing neighborhoods.....which is something every politician will avoid regardless of their belief. It also usually invites questions on how they will be paid for, which neither candidate can answer in a way that is popular.

Just because it needs to be discussed doesn't mean it will. It's a very sticky issue.

Every project brings up the question as to how it will be paid for, no? With Baton Rouge's current and future traffic problems, I'm not so sure it's as "sticky" as it normally would be.

For example, I'm positive majority of parish residents would approve of an extension of Anselmo to Pecue or Perkins Rd. A dedicated "South Medical District Blvd" exit ramp on I-10 for Baton Rouge General, an extension of S Flannery to Stumberg, with an exit on I-12, and an extension of Millerville to Hickory Ridge, to Pecue. (I'm not necessarily suggesting we bulldoze these subdivisions and neighborhoods but without connectivity within the parish, we will continue to have immense traffic problems for decades to come)

I'd rather a politician come forward and risk his neck rather than build all these suburban roads and tollways that only slightly minimize the problems while he is in office, giving the next guy another massive issue to handle.

[cajun]

Baton Rouge is normally not open to new taxes....now consider than the economy is stagnant and wage growth is weak. Proposing a tax would be a disaster at this point.

Combine that with the organized NIMBY's, and you can see how it is so much easier to propose a toll road in undeveloped land than to even mention connectivity.

Politicians almost never risk their neck. You should know that.

[Antrell Williams]

Baton Rouge is normally not open to new taxes....now consider than the economy is stagnant and wage growth is weak. Proposing a tax would be a disaster at this point.

Combine that with the organized NIMBY's, and you can see how it is so much easier to propose a toll road in undeveloped land than to even mention connectivity.

Politicians almost never risk their neck. You should know that.

In this city new taxes are the devil. Strong, organized NIMBY's and un-progressive population is a strong factor. Sooner or later they might recognize why traffic suddenly gets worse in less developed areas.

[cajun]

In this city new taxes are the devil. Strong, organized NIMBY's and un-progressive population is a strong factor. Sooner or later they might recognize why traffic suddenly gets worse in less developed areas.

I assure you that it isn't just Baton Rouge. It's a trend that corresponds with weak GDP growth nationwide. Cities and states all over the country are having budget issues because revenue is down and taxpayers are reluctant to commit to more spending. Sales taxes seem to have a slightly better shot of survival, but EBR is already near the state limits for that....so that low hanging fruit has long been picked.

Baton Rouge has and will tax itself for needed improvements when the economy is less of a concern to the average voter....such as what occurred with the Green Light Plan in 2005/2006, when the post Katrina gridlock was fresh in everyone's minds.

[Antrell Williams]

I assure you that it isn't just Baton Rouge. It's a trend that corresponds with weak GDP growth nationwide. Cities and states all over the country are having budget issues because revenue is down and taxpayers are reluctant to commit to more spending. Sales taxes seem to have a slightly better shot of survival, but EBR is already near the state limits for that....so that low hanging fruit has long been picked.

Baton Rouge has and will tax itself for needed improvements when the economy is less of a concern to the average voter....such as what occurred with the Green Light Plan in 2005/2006, when the post Katrina gridlock was fresh in everyone's minds.

I wasn't referring to the tax specifically, but the need to build roads through neighborhoods and subdivisions and the reluctance of the population to do so.

[itsjustme3]

In this city new taxes are the devil.

And what city loves paying taxes?

[Antrell Williams]

And what city loves paying taxes?

Once again, you've managed to take part of my post out of context.

[itsjustme3]

Once again, you've managed to take part of my post out of context.

No I just asked a question about what you said.

[cajun]

http://theadvocate.com/home/4387764-125/state-decides-against-widening-i-10

State decides not to widen I-10.

This will limit downtown access to what currently exists today, and be a choke point long into the future.

Meanwhile, no loop or alternatives will ever happen.

[Antrell Williams]

A simple fix would be HOV, or "carpool" lanes similar to how Houston's work. They would use toll funds to pay for their construction. It could be a single lane, which begins somewhere east of the I-110 split, and would end at the Range Ave and Highland Rd off ramps. It would take some ingenuity to construct this roadway with our style of freeway, however, it can be done.

[cajun]

You'd put the HOV's in a center lane? Not sure how they'd fit there.....but I can see them being popular between the 10/12 split and downtown.

The current setup wouldn't be so bad if the right lane on I-10 eastbound didn't abruptly end at Washington Street. That exit needs to be re-worked somehow where the ramp entrance is on 110 southbound before the split and not I-10 eastbound.

[Antrell Williams]

They could be elevated. They would be hugely popular I'm sure. I don't know why the idea was never played with, all this construction will be a waste in the coming years.

[all2neat]

It's the Washington Street exit that kills traffic.

It's the Washington Street exit that kills traffic.

[dimebag1980]

Listen, up here in Shreveport-Bossier metro we have about half the population of Baton Rouge metro, so we have a lot less traffic. But we still have a lot of traffic that comes in from Dallas, particularly on Fridays. And at 7:00-9:00am and 4:00-6:00 pm, you can forget a smooth ride through downtown on I-20 because you have I-20 traffic and then you have I-49 traffic dumping out onto it. It gets to be a mess. But we also have 3132/Terry Bradshaw and I-220 to alleviate quite a bit of the extra traffic that WOULD also be on there. Those two freeways make up our semi-loop, and I have driven on them during the morning and evening rush hours. Things get pretty sticky on those roads as well. Without those roads, all that traffic would likely be on I-20 and we would have a serious problem.

That said, with your metro area having trice the population, you REALLY freaking need something like this. Driving through Baton Rouge is like driving through Dallas, and it really shouldn't be so bad. You people should be able to get from Point A to Point B in a reasonable amount of time.like we can up here (barring rush hour). Your roads have to be scaled for your population. That's why when you go to Houston and Dallas, they are ALWAYS doing freeway construction. It's a never-ending thing in those cities to see them widening and reconfiguring their freeways, overpasses, flyovers, etc.

Having driven through Baton Rouge many times in the past couple of years for LSU games, I can feel you guys' pain. You shouldn't have to put up with that crap. Hey, I love my hometown of Shreveport-Bossier and I am proud of the freeway system that we have, which is likely about to grow even more with I-69 and the next extension of 3132 to the Port/I-69, but I do not see how we managed to score such a good freeway system up here while they have made the Capital City city suffer the way you guys have to.

By the way, I love Baton Rouge, my Tigers and Death Valley, and north Louisiana is with you guys. We fricking hate driving through that mess in Baton Rouge when we come down there for games as well. The friendship I have always been shown by the people of Baton Rouge while tailgating for the Tigers games is unforgettable. And every time we go, we always meet new people who are just as awesome as the others. I don't believe in this "my city is better than your city" BS that the politicians play. I believe in getting things done.

But don't feel bad, our two-lane Jimmie Davis bridge needs to be expanded to 4 lanes badly because of the growth to the south of Bossier City, and it takes many hours for people to get home if they have to cross that bridge from Shreveport to Bossier at rush hour. I'd love to see that bridge replace AND you guys get the improvements you need as well. We have GOT to have a more proactive state than this. Where the hell does all this casino revenue go? We have casinos in most of the state's major cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Bossier City and Lake Charles. Where does the money go?

[dimebag1980]

They could be elevated. They would be hugely popular I'm sure. I don't know why the idea was never played with, all this construction will be a waste in the coming years.

The state needs to explore this more. Baton Rouge doesn't have enough elevated freeways. That's a good way of funneling traffic.

[all2neat]

Elevating freeways comes at a major cost.