New Capital Region message signs, cameras set to go live Tuesday
Monday, May 02, 2016 at 1:34:21 PM
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a series of technology upgrades in the Capital Region. On Tuesday, May 3, cameras and message boards utilizing fiber optics and Bluetooth technology will go into effect, aiding traffic management and providing motorists a more interactive driving experience.

The cameras, viewable on the DOTD traffic management website www.511la.org, help travelers, emergency responders and traffic managers by providing real-time views of hundreds of locations throughout the state. The new cameras are at the following locations:

• US 190 at Livonia
• I-10 at LA 77
• I-10 between Lobdell and Grosse Tete
• US 190 at LA 415
• US 190 at MRB West
• US 190 at MRB East
• I-10 at City Park Lake
• O’Neal Lane at Old Hammond Highway
• I-12 at Amite River Bridge
• LA 1 at Intracoastal Waterway

Five dynamic message boards and a travel-time sign will also be activated. The message board signs provide travelers with information such as road conditions, travel times and when to use alternate routes.

These signs are located at:

• I-10 E before LA-415
• US-190 E before LA-415
• I-10 W before LA-415
• I-10 W before Essen Lane
• I-12 W before Juban Road

Using Bluetooth technology, a travel-time sign will be active on La. 1 at the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge for travelers headed northbound. The sign will provide travel times from the sign’s location to the I-110, US 61 and US 190 interchange in Baton Rouge. The purpose is to help inform travelers who are going to the northern parts of Baton Rouge when using the US 190 bridge is a better option than the I-10 bridge. While the I-10 bridge is over capacity, the US 190 bridge is underutilized. Also, once travelers get across the Mississippi River on US 190, there are several surface street options available to reach their destinations.

Testing data shows utilizing the I-10 bridge is often the fastest option to reach the I-10, US 61 and US 190 interchange. However, during peak hours ranging from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, using the US 190 bridge can provide a faster option to crossing into East Baton Rouge Parish.

The cost of the entire project was $3.4 million.

For information on DOTD, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

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