BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) today announced safety improvements being made to the intersection of La. 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway, and a public meeting for the upcoming J-turn project.
The safety improvements include:
Lowering the speed limit on La. 1 in the vicinity of the intersection from 55 mph to 45 mph. This will extend the 45 mph speed limit from Brusly through the Sugar Plantation Parkway intersection. The speed limit will be re-evaluated after the upcoming J-turn project is complete.
Moving the stop bar on Sugar Plantation Parkway closer to La. 1 to help improve sight distance.
Installing a larger stop sign at the intersection and intersection advisory signs along La. 1 to alert drivers of the intersection.
Creating a dedicated right turn lane for drivers turning onto Sugar Plantation Parkway from La. 1.
"DOTD is dedicated to improving the safety of drivers in this community," said DOTD Secretary SherriH. LeBas. "These improvements, in addition to the upcoming J-turn project, will make traveling through this area safer for the 40,000 drivers using this road each day."
DOTD is in the process of implementing the improvements. The work will be finished within the next month.
DOTD will hold an open-house meeting to discuss these safety improvements and the upcoming J-turn project at the La. 1/Sugar Plantation Parkway intersection on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Addis YMCA, located at 3688 Sugar Plantation Parkway.
The open-house style meeting is designed to allow participants the opportunity to speak to DOTD representatives throughout the evening at several stations. Each station will focus on a specific aspect of the project, and people can ask questions and receive information. The meeting will allow the public to learn more about the project and to sign-up to receive future e-mail updates about the project.
The project will re-design the intersection to include J-turns that will improve safety and traffic flow. J-turns help to reduce the likelihood of crashes, especially severe crashes such as side-collisions.
The project is currently being designed. DOTD is scheduled to take bids for the work in April 2012.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.
For more information, 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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www.dotd.la.gov