BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that a temporary traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of La. 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway until upcoming J-turn and frontage road projects are built.

“We continually work with state representatives and local communities to improve traffic flow and increase safety,” said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. “We are committed to balancing the needs of the Sugar Mill Plantation subdivision with those of the La 1 corridor and a temporary signal provides an interim solution until the frontage roads and J-turn are constructed.”

Once the frontage roads and J-turn projects are completed, residents of Sugar Mill Plantation will have the option of utilizing the adjacent traffic signal at Lukeville Road or the newly completed J-turn to access La. 1.  Both projects are part of a DOTD initiative to preserve traffic flow on the La. 1 corridor while providing improved access and safety for local residents.

Additionally, DOTD has begun an in-depth corridor study that will analyze potential traffic and safety improvements for the approximate 40,000 motorists who utilize La. 1 for their daily commutes along with the extensive truck traffic that serve businesses and industry throughout the area. The study will review and plan for the long range growth and development of the corridor. 

Working in conjunction with local officials and residents, DOTD made the decision to install the temporary signal. This comes in addition to safety improvements made to the intersection during the last month including lowering the speed limit, installing new signage and modifying the intersection pavement markings. The temporary signal will be installed within the next two - three months.

“I appreciate the patience of the Sugar Mill Plantation residents along with DOTD’s commitment to improving safety at this intersection,” said Representative Major Thibaut. “This new plan forward proves that through open-dialogue appropriate solutions can be identified.”

The J-turn project will be delayed until the frontage road project is designed. The project will involve building frontage roads along La. 1 between Sugar Mill Parkway and Lukeville Road. The design and property acquisition preconstruction work should take approximately 24 months to complete. 

The J-turn project will re-design the intersection to include a right turn from Sugar Mill Parkway southbound followed by a U-turn.  J-turns help to reduce the likelihood of crashes, especially severe crashes such as side-impacts and facilitates safety and traffic flow.

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