Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden will host a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of the Downtown Signalization and Synchronization Project, the ninth completed roadway construction project for the Green Light Plan, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the corner of North 3rd Street and Main Street.
“Improving intersections and synchronizing our traffic signal lights in Downtown Baton Rouge are essential components to eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring an overall better traffic flow around the downtown area,” said Mayor-President Kip Holden. “With the completion of this project, we are breaking up gridlock while providing safer and more fluid transportation options for motorists and pedestrians alike to move around Downtown Baton Rouge.”

“The Downtown Signalization project of the Green Light Plan signals a new day for infrastructure improvements in our city,” said Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer. “Visitors to the area will experience the latest technology in vehicular traffic efficiency while presenting a uniform design in all of downtown’s street intersections. The signals are a critical component to the continued development of our downtown.”

The project broke ground in June of 2008 and was constructed by Ernest P. Breaux Electrical, Inc. of Baton Rouge. Through the public bid process, the firm was awarded the $9.8 million contract to upgrade traffic signals and communications at 27 intersections in the downtown area of Baton Rouge. Signal equipment upgrades, interconnection of signals, and handicap sidewalk ramp construction were key components that were included in the project.

Ribbon Cutting Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Metro Councilmember Tara Wicker, District 10, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Mike Futrell, Chief Administrative Officer, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Downtown Development District:

Mr. Davis S. Rhorer, Executive Director

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; ABMB Engineers, Inc.:

Mr. Mike Bruce, P.E.

Mr. Laurence Lambert, P.E.

From the Contractor; Ernest P. Breaux Electrical, Inc.:

Mr. Guy Whaley