BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that additional warning signs are being installed on La. 935 to alert drivers of curves. In addition, a Road Safety Assessment (RSA) will be performed to help identify other safety enhancements that can be made to the roadway.

DOTD is installing the additional signs as an interim measure until the RSA is complete. The RSA will assist in developing a long-term plan to improve safety on La. 935. The signs will be installed within the next two weeks.

DOTD initiated the RSA program in 2010 to identify safety enhancements that can be made to roads in the state highway system. This approach gathers input from local officials and legislators, local and state police, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and DOTD personnel to determine any existing safety-related needs along a specific route and identify opportunities for low-cost safety enhancements to address those needs.

"DOTD’s number one priority is the safety of drivers on Louisiana’s roadways," said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. "Installing additional warning signs on this roadway is an interim solution that will increase safety until the RSA is complete."

Ultimately, the aim of an RSA is to answer the following questions:

• What elements of the road may present a safety concern: to what extent, to which road users, and under what circumstances?
  
• What opportunities exist to eliminate or mitigate identified safety concerns?

Examples of low-cost safety enhancements include center-line rumble strips, signal timing adjustments, enhanced signage, enhanced striping, widening of curves, shoulder widening, and raised pavement markers.

"The RSA will bring local and state government together to work collaboratively on implementing safety measures on this roadway," said Senator Jody Amedee. "I look forward to completing the assessment and finding additional ways to improve safety for drivers in this area."

"I appreciate DOTD’s commitment to improving safety on this roadway," said Representative Johnny Berthelot. "Installing new warning signs on La. 935 is a welcomed improvement until appropriate long-term safety solutions can be identified."

The RSA will be conducted within the next two weeks. DOTD expects to have a final report on possible safety improvements for La. 935 complete by the end of April.

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).