Engineers unveiled the latest revised routes for the proposed toll-supported Baton Rouge loop on Thursday that reinstates the far northern corridor between Zachary and Baker.
At the same time, the new plan eliminates a proposed route for the northern bypass that would have run through Denham Springs and along Florida Boulevard and Airline Highway in East Baton Rouge Parish.
To the south, the latest plan eliminates a controversial corridor that would have run through Prairieville and Spanish Lake in Ascension Parish. At this point, it appears that the loop will cross the Amite River north of Port Vincent, run south of Gonzales and cross Interstate 10 near the old Sorrento rest area closed by the state a few years ago.
The latest southern loop plan, slated to go before the five parish presidents next week, would then cross the Mississippi River either south of Plaquemine or between Addis and Brusly.
The lead engineer on the project, Steve Wallace from ABMB Engineers, said the northern loop would leave Interstate 12 about two miles east of Walker and run to the east of La. 449 to avoid most development.
The northern leg of the loop would then either follow Arnold Road to cross the Amite River near the Watson area, or take the more northerly route between Zachary and Baker. The northern bypass would then cross the Mississippi River just north of the U.S. 190 Bridge at another site north of the Southern University campus, and then tie into Interstate 10 west of La. 415.
The engineers had previously eliminated the far northern route due to concerns that it would not generate enough toll revenue. On Wednesday, Wallace said the route was reinstated after Livingston residents pointed out that the area is rapidly developing and would likely have plenty of residents when that part of the loop opens in a few years.
Walker Mayor Travis Clark applauded the new route east of Walker, saying it was “by far the least intrusive route” that he’s seen through his city.
Walter Monsour, Mayor-President Kip Holden’s chief administrative officer, said there will likely still be people upset at the proposed new alignment, but they will be a small minority.
Monsour said about 800,000 people live in the five-parish area involved in the loop project, but only 2,000 to 5,000 will be displaced by the project.
“If this would have been done 25 to 30 years ago, the project would have impacted a lot less people,” Monsour said.
The project is long overdue Monsour said, noting that local traffic will only worsen without it.
Monsour also noted that not everyone with property in the remaining corridors will be impacted by the loop.
The corridors under study are 4,000 feet wide, but only 400 feet of that will actually be needed for the loop, Monsour said.
Monsour noted that on recent fact-finding trip to Texas, officials involved in the loop project found that property values along toll roads in Dallas and Austin skyrocketed after those roads opened.
While acknowledging the loop will trigger economic development, Monsour said the main purpose of the loop is to relieve traffic.
The 90- to 100-mile loop is expected to cost $4 billion and take eight to 10 years to build.
At this point, plans call for the five parish presidents to consider finalizing the loop corridors next week.
The next step will be to assess impacts on the environment and development.
Source: The Advocate
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