Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden will host a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of the Perkins at Stanford/Acadian Intersection Improvements project at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the corner of Acadian Thruway and Perkins Road with parking provided at Acadian Village Shopping Center, marking the 12^th completed roadway construction project for the Green Light Plan.

“The completion of the Perkins at Stanford and Acadian Intersection Improvements project comes at a critical time for the thousands of motorists who use this key intersection every day,” said Mayor-President Kip Holden.  “With students returning to fall classes at LSU this week, we are seeing a dramatic difference in how smoothly traffic is flowing through this area that was very congested.  This is a significant improvement for commuters as well as the neighborhoods and businesses near this intersection.”

Completed and opened to the traveling public on July 4, 2010, the project was constructed by RCS Contractors, Inc. of Baton Rouge.  Through the public bid process, the firm was awarded the $2.4 million contract to add six additional turning lanes to the existing intersection.  The project added a right-turn and left-turn lane to both southbound Acadian Thruway and westbound Perkins Road.  Northbound Stanford Avenue received a new right-turn lane and eastbound Perkins Road received an additional left-turn lane.

Ribbon Cutting Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

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

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

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

Councilman R.J. “Smokie” Bourgeois, District 12, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Councilwoman Tara Wicker, District 10, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle, District 7, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director

Jim Ferguson, P.E., M.B.A., Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., P.T.O.E., Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

Mr. Guy Leonard, P.E.

Ms. Debbie Guest, P.E.

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. Gary Heitman, P.E.

From the Contractor; RCS Contractors, Inc.:

Mr. Roland Alonso

Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden will host a groundbreaking for the Central Thruway Phase I Paving project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in the project right-of-way with parking provided at the groundbreaking site (see attachment).  The ceremony, previously scheduled for August 5, 2010 but postponed due to inclement weather, marks the start of construction on the 27^th Green Light Plan roadway project.

“Construction of the Central Thruway continues to move forward as we break ground on the final project within the Central Thruway Phase I project,” said Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden.  “With two separate phases and seven individual projects, the massive Central Thruway project is one that continues to move closer and closer to becoming a reality.  Soon, the citizens of the City of Central and East Baton Rouge Parish will be able to utilize a complete Central Thruway that serves as a vital access point connecting our great parish.”

Partially funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD), the Central Thruway Phase I Paving project will complete the clearing and grubbing, drainage structures, embankments, and construction of bridges and roadway required within the Central Thruway Phase I project limits.

With a construction cost of $5.3 million and an anticipated completion date of January 2011, the project was awarded through the public bid process to James Construction Group, LLC.  Once the remaining segments of the Central Thruway project are complete, a new four-lane roadway with a raised median and shoulders on new alignment will extend from Florida Boulevard to Frenchtown Road, and then to Greenwell Springs Road.  When complete, the new Central Thruway will provide an improved north-south connection for the area as well as an improved north-south connection extending all the way from Nicholson Drive to Hooper Road.

Groundbreaking Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

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

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

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

Metro Councilmember Scott Wilson, District 4

Former Metro Councilmember Joe Greco

From the City of Central:

Mayor Shelton “Mac” Watts, City of Central

City Official David Barrow

City Councilman Ralph Washington

City Councilman Louis Dejohn

City Councilman Tony Lobue

City Councilman Aaron Moak

City Councilman Wayne Messina

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director

Jim Ferguson, P.E., M.B.A., Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., P.T.O.E., Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

Guy Leonard, P.E.

Laura Riggs, P.E.

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; Shread-Kuyrkendall & Associates:

Mr. Gary McClure, P.E.

Mr. John P. Raymond, P.E.

From the Contractor; James Construction Group, LLC:

Mr. Rodney James

Mr. Danny Hester

Mr. Chet Chautin

Mr. Aaron Dupont

Mr. Matt Hicks

The inside lane of U.S. 190 westbound at the Amite River Bridge will be closed on Thursday, August 26, and Friday, August 27 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day to allow crews to deliver materials to the jobsite.

This closure will allow vehicles up to 11 feet wide to pass through the construction zone. The road is open for regular traffic but oversize vehicles and loads are still under permit restrictions. Motorists may use I-12 as an alternate route.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reminds motorists that permanent lane adjustments to the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge went into effect on Sunday, August 8, at 8 a.m.

The lane adjustments have been implemented as part of the ongoing I-10 Mississippi Bridge signing and striping project, and will help to improve traffic flow on the bridge. The intention of the new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge is to improve traffic flow on the bridge and relieve congestion on I-10 West and I-110 South in Baton Rouge. The signing and striping changes are necessary to balance traffic volumes, which will result in a better distribution of traffic. Having one dedicated exit lane for vehicles traveling towards Port Allen and Plaquemine will free up the middle lane of the bridge for through traffic, making travel over the bridge safer and more efficient for motorists.

All I-10 westbound traffic crossing the Mississippi River Bridge exiting to Port Allen and Plaquemine must now use the outer lane prior to exiting. Traffic in the westbound center lane is no longer able to exit, as this lane serves only westbound through traffic. This will leave the center and far-left lane free for the 63 percent of through traffic traveling across the bridge towards Lafayette to maintain optimum traveling speed.  The far-right outer lane will serve the remaining 25 percent exiting for Plaquemine and 12 percent exiting for Port Allen, and allow this traffic to slow for their appropriate exits without impeding the overall traffic flow.

As part of the project, the deck of the bridge is being resealed with an epoxy overlay to improve surface friction for motorists. In the next six to eight weeks, once the deck resealing is complete, DOTD crews will paint additional shield markings on the existing striping. These additional markings will help motorists to more clearly identify the through lane (I-10 westbound) and the La. 1 exit lane.

DOTD appreciates your patience as we test this new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

Additionally, following is a schedule of lane closures for the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. These closures are necessary for bridge rehabilitation, signing and related work.

• The nightly closure of the right lane of I-10 eastbound began Sunday, August 8, at 8 p.m., and will last for the next several weeks.  The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday.
• The nightly closure of the right and center lanes of I-10 westbound began Sunday, August 8, and will continue throughout the weekend and into next week. The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The I-10 westbound La. 1 off-ramps to Port Allen and Plaquemine are also closed during these times.  Traffic is detoured to La. 415.
• Once the work on the center and right lanes is complete, the nightly closure of the left lane of I-10 westbound will begin. This closure will last approximately two weeks. The closure will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday. The boundaries of this closure will be from Washington Street, across the bridge to La. 1.
• The nightly closure of the I-110 southbound to I-10 westbound ramp began Sunday, August 8. This closure will last until late August. This closure will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
• The downtown I-10 westbound on-ramps and the North Boulevard on-ramp for I-110 south will remain closed during all above-mentioned lane closures.

During these closures, emergency vehicles are allowed to pass. No loads over 10 feet wide are allowed.  Alternate routes, if needed, are as follows. Eastbound: I-10 La. 1 North to U.S. 190 East to I-110 South to I-10. Westbound: I-10 to I-110 North to US 190 West to La. 1 South to I-10.

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).

Effective August 19, 2010, South Harrell’s Ferry Road between Jones Creek Road and O’Neal Lane will remain closed to the traveling public to allow for the completion of paving operations.  The current temporary closure of this stretch of South Harrell’s Ferry Road began May 24, 2010 as construction crews began necessary work for the installation of the embankment, new box culverts for the roadway crossings at Knox Branch, and to complete utility relocations as well as pipeline adjustments by Shell Pipeline required to four-lane that stretch of South Harrell’s Ferry Road.

Adverse weather conditions and unexpected utility relocations have lengthened the construction period required for the closed portion of the roadway.  Construction crews continue to work as expeditiously as possible to complete the work necessary to reopen the closed portion of the roadway. Weather delays have been and will continue to be a factor in determining the length of the closure period.  Due to the uncertainty surrounding upcoming weather conditions, an anticipated date is not available at this time for the roadway to reopen.

Although substantial progress has been made on pipeline adjustments, box culvert installation, utility relocations, and embankment work, the extension of the closure period is necessary to allow for completion of the base course and paving operations sufficient enough to permit the reopening of the roadway to local traffic.

Motorists should continue to use Jones Creek Road, George O’Neal Lane and O’Neal Lane as detour routes during the closure (see map in attachment).  Access to South Harrell’s Ferry Road from Lirocchi Drive and Manchester Drive will also continue to be closed during this closure period with a detour provided to O’Neal Lane.

Message signs warning of the closure remain posted near South Harrell’s Ferry Road and motorists should exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity. Travel times may be affected, and motorists are encouraged to factor in potential delays when traveling in the area during the road closure.

Work began last September to widen that stretch of South Harrell’s Ferry Road as part of the Green Light Plan to relieve congestion on major traffic arteries in East Baton Rouge Parish. The project will add two additional through lanes, sidewalks and a raised median to South Harrell’s Ferry Road from a point 1,100-feet east of Millerville Road to O’Neal Lane. The project also calls for a new intersection with Jones Creek Road and a new drainage crossing and raised roadway at the Knox Branch crossing between Jones Creek Road and O’Neal Lane.

Other Green Light Plan projects are now under construction to widen Jones Creek Road from South Harrell’s Ferry Road to Coursey Boulevard, and South Harrell’s Ferry Road from Millerville Road to South Sherwood Forest Boulevard.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reminds motorists that permanent lane adjustments to the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge went into effect on Sunday, August 8, at 8 a.m.

The lane adjustments have been implemented as part of the ongoing I-10 Mississippi Bridge signing and striping project, and will help to improve traffic flow on the bridge. The intention of the new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge is to improve traffic flow on the bridge and relieve congestion on I-10 West and I-110 South in Baton Rouge. The signing and striping changes are necessary to balance traffic volumes, which will result in a better distribution of traffic. Having one dedicated exit lane for vehicles traveling towards Port Allen and Plaquemine will free up the middle lane of the bridge for through traffic, making travel over the bridge safer and more efficient for motorists.

All I-10 westbound traffic crossing the Mississippi River Bridge exiting to Port Allen and Plaquemine must now use the outer lane prior to exiting. Traffic in the westbound center lane is no longer able to exit, as this lane serves only westbound through traffic. This will leave the center and far-left lane free for the 63 percent of through traffic traveling across the bridge towards Lafayette to maintain optimum traveling speed.  The far-right outer lane will serve the remaining 25 percent exiting for Plaquemine and 12 percent exiting for Port Allen, and allow this traffic to slow for their appropriate exits without impeding the overall traffic flow.

DOTD appreciates your patience as we test this new lane configuration on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

Additionally, following is a schedule of lane closures for the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. These closures are necessary for bridge rehabilitation, signing and related work.

• The nightly closure of the right lane of I-10 eastbound began Sunday, August 8, at 8 p.m. This closure will last until Sunday, August 15, at 6 a.m.  The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday.
• The nightly closure of the right and center lanes of I-10 westbound began Sunday night, August 8. This closure will last until Sunday morning, August 15. The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Friday, and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Sunday. The I-10 westbound La. 1 off-ramps to Port Allen and Plaquemine are also closed during these times.  Traffic is detoured to La. 415.
• The nightly closure of the La. 1 off-ramps began Sunday, August 8, and will continue for approximately two weeks. This closure will take placefrom 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
• The nightly closure of the I-110 southbound to I-10 westbound ramp began Sunday, August 8, and will continue for approximately two weeks. This closure will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

During these closures, emergency vehicles are allowed to pass. No loads over 10 feet wide are allowed.  Alternate routes, if needed, are as follows. Eastbound: I-10 La. 1 North to U.S. 190 East to I-110 South to I-10. Westbound: I-10 to I-110 North to US 190 West to La. 1 South to I-10.

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 www.511la.org.

Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge will be closed to traffic from 1 a.m.- 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010, to allow crews to hang overhead sign trusses as part of an ongoing sign replacement project. The closure includes the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge. The total closure is needed to give workers enough room to safely install the overhead sign trusses that span across all lanes of the bridge.

Detour routes:

• I-10 westbound traffic will be detoured to I-110 North to U.S. 190 West to La. 1 South to I-10 West. I-10 eastbound traffic will be detoured to La. 1 North to U.S. 190 East to I-110 South to I-10 East.
• An alternative detour route for I-10 westbound will be I-10 West to I-110 North to U.S. 190 West to La. 415 South to I-10 West.
• An alternative detour route for I-10 eastbound will be I-10 East to La. 415 North to U.S. 190 East to I-110 South to I-10 East.

Additionally, permanent lane adjustments to the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge will go into effect immediately following the closure, on Sunday at 8 a.m.  At that time, all I-10 westbound traffic crossing the Mississippi River Bridge exiting to Port Allen and Plaquemine will use the outer lane prior to exiting. Traffic in the westbound center lane will no longer be able to exit, as this lane will serve only westbound through traffic.

The lane adjustments are being implemented as part of the ongoing I-10 Mississippi Bridge signing and striping project, and will help to improve traffic flow on the bridge.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site. Be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

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).

I-12, Eastbound at milepoint 14.96 (1.0 mile east of Walker exit at Dumplin Creek), the outside lane will be closed on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 8:00am – 2:00pm (weather permitting) while crews perform emergency repairs.

There are no permit restrictions.  One lane will remain open at all times.  However, to avoid the lane closure, motorists may take LA 447 North (at Walker) to US 190, then east to South Satsuma Road, then South back to I-12.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the work site and be on the lookout for work crews and equipment.