AARoads Forum

Didn't see an existing thread for this in the search; feel free to merge if so.

DOTD will hold public meetings in April and May.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FO9p8LqXIAcqwc7?format=jpg&name=large)

How likely is a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to be constructed? Could there be other places along the Mississippi River that might need a new bridge more than Baton Rouge?

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 28, 2022, 07:52:18 PM
How likely is a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to be constructed? Could there be other places along the Mississippi River that might need a new bridge more than Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge and Memphis are the only places where a new bridge across the lower Mississippi River might be constructed IMO.

Quote from: Brooks on March 28, 2022, 08:01:01 PM

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 28, 2022, 07:52:18 PM
How likely is a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to be constructed? Could there be other places along the Mississippi River that might need a new bridge more than Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge and Memphis are the only places where a new Mississippi River bridge might be constructed IMO.

The first studies are being done on replacing the I-80 Mississippi River Bridge at the Quad Cities. The I-74 bridge was recently replaced. I realize these bridges aren't as difficult as further downstream, but the Mississippi is still a pretty wide river north of the Ohio and is still expensive to build bridges.

Quote from: skluth on March 28, 2022, 08:13:58 PM

Quote from: Brooks on March 28, 2022, 08:01:01 PM

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 28, 2022, 07:52:18 PM
How likely is a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to be constructed? Could there be other places along the Mississippi River that might need a new bridge more than Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge and Memphis are the only places where a new Mississippi River bridge might be constructed IMO.

The first studies are being done on replacing the I-80 Mississippi River Bridge at the Quad Cities. The I-74 bridge was recently replaced. I realize these bridges aren't as difficult as further downstream, but the Mississippi is still a pretty wide river north of the Ohio and is still expensive to build bridges.

And add more to the cost they have to be retroffited and re-enforced to hold against earthquakes since the main crossings of the Mississippi River in Memphis and St.Louis are located in the New Madrid rift zone.

The I-270 bridge/New Chain of Rocks Bridge north of Downtown St Louis will be replaced across the Mississippi one of these years. I think IDOT even has plans for it

It is discussed a little bit on the "St Louis Freeways"  thread on the Central States board

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=1182.275

This is another crossing north of the Ohio-Mississippi Confluence, so the river isn't as big, but it is downriver of the Illinois and Missouri into the Mighty Mississippi

The Chain of Rocks Bridge does have the benefit that the Mississippi is not navigable here, as the Chain of Rocks Canal is the shipping channel at this spot along the river

TECHNICALLY BR belongs to the Southeast Sub...There have been LOTS of discussion of this.
This one addresses it particularly.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28262.msg2559910#msg2559910

Almost all of the stuff addressing the Hernando DeSoto bridge damage, those addressing the I-55 / Crump Boulevard (Memphis) intersection, there is probably as much discussion of this bridge on the I-49 (South) and I-69 threads as the roads themselves.

As to the Public Meetings, I was aware of them, but not sure if it came from this site or from Louisiana media.

I would disagree with the poll on that link. Baton Rouge needs a new Mississippi River Bridge far worse than Memphis (or anywhere else along the Mississippi RIver ESPECIALLY at Arkansas City Arkansas. ) While people from large metro areas would argue, Baton Rouge has been cited as one of the top 5 worst highway congestion cities of any size in the US.

Everything in this thread that isn't about the future Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge is off-topic. Moderators, can we get that stuff moved to the poll topic (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28262.0), please?

I think we can assume that Louisiana will build a new bridge over the Mississippi River since DOTD is going to be holding public meetings about it.

By the way, the next round of statewide elections in Louisiana comes up next year. That includes governor and every seat in the legislature. And there's that $6 billion we're getting for infrastructure. So there's a lot of incentive for the government and people who want to be in the government to start talking about it.

How high of a priority is this new bridge to DOTD? I've seen it ranked up pretty high, but it seems that I-49 and the Lake Charles bridge are higher up on the grand scheme of things.

Re. Poll topic:
It surprised me after I made that poll how tilted it was towards Memphis. I think there's just a lot of people on this forum and in real life that just don't understand how bad the traffic in Baton Rouge really is (or they just haven't been to that part of Louisiana). I-10 in Baton Rouge is just as reliable as a traffic choke point as I-35 in Austin IMO (the differentiating factor here is while TxDOT has money to fix Austin, DOTD doesn't have much to spare to fix BR). Memphis doesn't usually have traffic problems on its bridges, but Baton Rouge does.

I'd say the big problem with Baton Rouge is that there's no bypass. Thru traffic either has to ram straight through the busiest freeways in BR, wait through traffic lights on Airline, or make a crazy detour. In one of threads about Mississippi River bridges someone tried to argue that the LA 10 bridge is a useful alternative to the mess of town. No it's not. You have to backtrack on back roads in order to even access the bridge. The bridge is basically abandoned and only serves local traffic.

Audobon Bridge is waaaay too far north and waaaay too rural to be an alternative for I-10 traffic, unless you were able to 4-lane LA 10 to New Roads and LA 1 all the way to Alexandria....and that would only relieve the default route of I-49 to Opelousas to US 190 east.

A southern BTR *freeway* bypass at the least is most badly needed, which is why it sucks major hooty that they decided to just use existing arterial routes (extended LA 415 to LA 1, then new Addis bridge connection to LA 30) rather than just build a new freeway/tollway connection. Heck, in that case, just upgrade LA 1 with bypasses of Plaquemine and Donaldsonville, connect to the Sunshine Bridge, and complete a connection to I-10 south of Gonzales.

A northern BTR bypass using a connection to US 190 west of Lobdell, then all of Airline Highway up to Plank Road, then turning north and east through the Amite/Comite River plain north of Denham Springs and Walker is planned as part of the BTR toll loop proposal. Though, I'm wondering if the BUMP plan, that would upgrade all of Airline Highway from Lobdell clear through to Jefferson Highway (including those wack cloverleaf interchanges with Greenwood Springs Road, Florida Boulevard (US 190B) and I-12), would be a more efficient bang for the buck.

This is very much needed. They'd be very wise to make it 8 lanes instead of six to "future proof"  it.

Quote from: CoreySamson on March 29, 2022, 11:32:57 AM
How high of a priority is this new bridge to DOTD? I’ve seen it ranked up pretty high, but it seems that I-49 and the Lake Charles bridge are higher up on the grand scheme of things.

All of them are badly needed. I think image is a factor working in favor of the BR bridge. The BR bottleneck looks *really* bad to people who have to cross it from out of state. These days, that's a lot of people--arguably much if not most of the traffic on the I-10/12 corridor. And it's probably hurting the BR area in terms of business location--who wants to run a business from a city where getting to and from the business is a nightmare?

We need I-49 South too, but I-49 South is "visible" pretty much only to people who live here.

Quote from: CoreySamson on March 29, 2022, 11:32:57 AM
I’d say the big problem with Baton Rouge is that there’s no bypass. Thru traffic either has to ram straight through the busiest freeways in BR, wait through traffic lights on Airline, or make a crazy detour.

You're correct. Especialy if you're going from east of BR to west of it or vice versa.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 29, 2022, 12:15:06 PM
A southern BTR *freeway* bypass at the least is most badly needed, which is why it sucks major hooty that they decided to just use existing arterial routes (extended LA 415 to LA 1, then new Addis bridge connection to LA 30) rather than just build a new freeway/tollway connection. Heck, in that case, just upgrade LA 1 with bypasses of Plaquemine and Donaldsonville, connect to the Sunshine Bridge, and complete a connection to I-10 south of Gonzales.

I'd go even further and make the whole LA 1/3127 corridor freeway or expressway all the way to Boutte. That would give east-bound traffic a significant bypass option. It would give the river-parish communities another way (perhaps a better one) to get to BR without having to take I-10. The corridor is already laid out with much of the needed ROW already in DOTD hands. And the connections to a new bridge could be built before the bridge is funded and built.

I'm planning to go to the meeting on April 25. Remind me to ask about this idea.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 29, 2022, 12:15:06 PM
A northern BTR bypass using a connection to US 190 west of Lobdell, then all of Airline Highway up to Plank Road, then turning north and east through the Amite/Comite River plain north of Denham Springs and Walker is planned as part of the BTR toll loop proposal. Though, I'm wondering if the BUMP plan, that would upgrade all of Airline Highway from Lobdell clear through to Jefferson Highway (including those wack cloverleaf interchanges with Greenwood Springs Road, Florida Boulevard (US 190B) and I-12), would be a more efficient bang for the buck.

I'm with you on BUMP. The anti-highway activists are already trying to kill the loop.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 28, 2022, 07:52:18 PM
How likely is a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge to be constructed? Could there be other places along the Mississippi River that might need a new bridge more than Baton Rouge?

I believe Baton Rouge is clearly the highest need. 

Quote from: bwana39 on March 30, 2022, 10:46:50 AM

Quote from: jbnv on March 29, 2022, 10:40:37 AM
Everything in this thread that isn't about the future Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge is off-topic. Moderators, can we get that stuff moved to the poll topic (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28262.0), please?

I just mentioned that there was discussion on the other places about a generic bridge in Baton Rouge (and even some about THIS bridge). Sorry if it offended you.

Where did I say anything about you?

Quote from: bwana39 on March 30, 2022, 10:46:50 AM

QuoteI think we can assume that Louisiana will build a new bridge over the Mississippi River since DOTD is going to be holding public meetings about it.

If public meetings by DOTD meant there would be imminent construction, the Shreveport ICC would have been finished years ago. The Acadian Throughway in Lafayette would be finished.
I can't imagine that Baton Rouge will not get at least one new bridge in the next TWENTY years.  That said, one of the options discussed in these hearings is a no-build option.
Hearings and public meetings really are just PLANNING tools, not actual progress toward construction. It does mean that DOTD has this project on the radar. It certainly does not mean funding will be available to put this project to the front of the line.

Your statement is contradictory. Yes, hearings do not prove that ground will ever be broken. But you seem to believe, as I claimed, that Louisiana will build a new bridge over the Mississippi River. I said nothing about a timeframe.

As for the funding:

QuoteNew Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge narrowed down to 10 possible locations (https://lailluminator.com/2022/03/28/new-mississippi-river-bridge-in-baton-rouge-narrowed-down-to-10-possible-locations/)

Louisiana residents will have a chance to review 10 proposed locations for a new bridge over the Mississippi River in the Baton Rouge area. The consultant group the state has hired for the project told a local committee Monday afternoon they will use public feedback to narrow that list to three by the end of May.

The committee faces significant pressure to pick the bridge's location before the state budget is finalized in June. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and other legislative leaders said they would only support Gov John Bel Edwards to put $500 million toward a new Mississippi River bridge "if we have a target spot for it."

"[The bridge project] should be farther along in the process than it is,"  Schexnayder said earlier this month.

So the current governor (who is term-limited and whose term expires at the end of next year) wants to fund it and so do influential members of the legislature, but they want to make sure we have a good idea where we're putting it. So the will to build this thing exists to some degree, and the effort is building momentum.

By the way, we have a topic for the Shreveport Inner-City Connector (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30235.0). So this topic makes sense.

Quote from: bwana39 on March 30, 2022, 10:46:50 AM

QuoteBy the way, the next round of statewide elections in Louisiana comes up next year. That includes governor and every seat in the legislature. And there's that $6 billion we're getting for infrastructure. So there's a lot of incentive for the government and people who want to be in the government to start talking about it.

This sounds almost like someone running for road commissioner in Texas.

Please tell all of us how you, a resident of Texarkana, understand Louisiana politics better than me, a native of Louisiana and resident of south Louisiana for most of my life. Seriously. Please educate me so I make fewer mistakes.

Quote from: bwana39 on March 30, 2022, 10:46:50 AMI do not think a single legislative seat in Louisiana will be decided by the candidate's position on highway construction. ... The only variable is Hawks who would choose to not spend money  or more aptly not increase taxes period. Even said hawkish candidates would never vote against their local projects.

Now do the wide-open races for governor, lt. governor and other statewide offices. I doubt any office will be solely decided by any candidate's position on any specific project. We pretty much all agree that we want all of them built. The issue is how to use limited funds that don't cover everything. And that could come into play in some races. Especially because John Bel Edwards likes to play kingmaker and he'll surely put his clout towards his favorite candidates.

I changed my vote to Memphis Deserves the Bridge, cuz Louisiana is cranky.

Court St., Rosedale Rd. or Beaulieu Ln. in Port Allen would all provide state highway access across the Mississippi River into Baton Rouge. Those would be my choices for a new river bridge.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 31, 2022, 02:02:15 PM
Court St., Rosedale Rd. or Beaulieu Ln. in Port Allen would all provide state highway access across the Mississippi River into Baton Rouge. Those would be my choices for a new river bridge.

I highly doubt that the state would build the new bridge through Port Allen. Look at the footprint needed for a bridge, even an arterial bridge. I doubt the people of Port Allen would tolerate part of their town being ripped apart for a bridge. Even barring that, on the east side you have to drop that thing into downtown or the state capitol complex.

This thing will almost certainly end up south of I-10. You can drop a line from the end of LA 415 curving into Baton Rouge, but that line tends to go through LSU. Route it north of LSU and activists will raise Cain about it tearing up a Black neighborhood. But as you go south from LSU, the river curves to the west, increasing the distance.

I can see dropping LA 415 all the way almost to Brusly before turning east, crossing the river and crossing undeveloped LSU land and merging into Brightside Rd. Even there, you're looking at development for the end of the bridge that may raise ire with local residents.

Another possibility is to move the bridge even further south, past Addis into an eastward curve in the river and connect to the end of Bluebonnet Blvd. If that happens, then the LA 415 extension will probably feed into LA 1 instead of crossing the river (though DOTD doesn't shy away from unneeded concurrences to extend a numbered route.)

We should be able to see all of the possibilities they are considering at the meetings in April.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 31, 2022, 02:02:15 PM
Court St., Rosedale Rd. or Beaulieu Ln. in Port Allen would all provide state highway access across the Mississippi River into Baton Rouge. Those would be my choices for a new river bridge.

Yeah, right. Put a local street bridge right next to the I-10 bridge and connect it to the BTR local street system....how?

Also, the extension of LA 415 to LA 1 is designed to be the connection to the proposed south bypass bridge across the Mississippi River near Addis.

Quote

[...]

Quote from: bwana39 on March 30, 2022, 10:46:50 AM

QuoteI think we can assume that Louisiana will build a new bridge over the Mississippi River since DOTD is going to be holding public meetings about it.

If public meetings by DOTD meant there would be imminent construction, the Shreveport ICC would have been finished years ago. The Acadian Throughway in Lafayette would be finished.
I can't imagine that Baton Rouge will not get at least one new bridge in the next TWENTY years.  That said, one of the options discussed in these hearings is a no-build option.
Hearings and public meetings really are just PLANNING tools, not actual progress toward construction. It does mean that DOTD has this project on the radar. It certainly does not mean funding will be available to put this project to the front of the line.

[...]

Ummm....the Acadian Thruway is in Baton Rouge. Don't confuse it with the Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette, which will be mostly consumed by the I-49 Lafayette Connector project. Also, the delay in the latter was more due to community pressure to modify that project to be more neighborhood friendly, in the face of the opposition there.

What delayed the ICC in Shreveport was the opposition in Allendale that forced them to first cancel attempts to extend I-49 beyond I-20 in the 1980's; and then to bring in the Loop It (LA 3132/I-220 West) alternative in the current study.


Public meetings are mostly to alert the public on the advancement of the process of design and environmental approval; they are a step in advancing projects. The fact that Gov JBE and the Legislature has placed a high priority on projects like the Lafayette Connector, I-10 in BTR, the ICC, and the new BTR bridge does give them additional boosts for ultimate funding for finishing the design and construction. With the infrastructure bill and the diversion of COVID relief funds, there is a stream of money they can use to get them at least started, if not finished. It's pretty obvious that even when the widening of I-10 is completed, there will still be a need for a bypass as a relief route for I-10/I-12 traffic.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 31, 2022, 10:37:58 PM
The fact that Gov JBE and the Legislature has placed a high priority on projects like the Lafayette Connector, I-10 in BTR, the ICC, and the new BTR bridge does give them additional boosts for ultimate funding for finishing the design and construction. With the infrastructure bill and the diversion of COVID relief funds, there is a stream of money they can use to get them at least started, if not finished.

If the governor, the legislature and our Congressional delegation can get their act together and work as a team, they could go to Washington and get funding specifically for the I-10 corridor projects (through BR, new bridge/BR bypass and the Calcasieu River bridge). A large portion, if not the majority, of the traffic on the trans-Louisiana corridor is coming from outside the state and/or going to points outside the state. The state shouldn't have to bear the entire burden of maintaining a vital national corridor. We're seeing with hurricane relief that getting our act together and presenting a unified front can reap dividends in Washington.

This is what this has to do with the upcoming elections (Congressional this year, statewide next). I'm no fan of Edwards but I would say he's done a decent job of representing Louisiana on the Congressional stage and with both a Republican president and a Democrat president. I want a governor who can go to the national stages, not act the fool and embarrass us, and do business with the rest of the country for Louisiana's benefit.

You could actually make a strong case for adding I-49 South to that request. Given the inflation and our country's continuing dependency on fossil fuels, and the fact that a lot of goods and services flow through the South Louisiana ports connected by US 90 between Lafayette and NOLA, getting heavy truck traffic off the Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette and having a continuous freeway route through Lafayette via I-49 may be almost as critical as maintaining I-10 as the principal W-E freeway corridor.


A lesser case on those grounds exists for the I-49 ICC through Shreveport because the Inner Loop already exists. Not saying that project isn't wanted or needed, of course.

The Advocate has released a graphic of the potential crossings and connecting routes.  Some interesting points:

• All of the proposed sites are between the Horace Wilkinson and the Sunshine. So an arterial bridge into downtown BR is out of the question.
• All of the proposed sites are at or south of Addis. So a bridge alongside and parallel to the Horace Wilkinson is out of the question. Ditto an arterial bridge into LSU.
• Since all of these sites are so far south, a direct connection to I-10 west of BR is highly unlikely.

(https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/theadvocate.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/43/34332a36-b20b-11ec-ad0c-f3facc74d4aa/62477cffe94d4.image.jpg?resize=750%2C690)

Looks also like the goal is to make a poor-man's bypass via LA 1, the new bridge and LA 30. Which isn't that bad of an idea if we get an expressway along LA 30 as well. We should make LA 70/22 an expressway from Donaldsonville to I-10 as well. At least that way there would be two ways to get from the "westbank" (not to be confused with The Westbank) to I-10 south to New Orleans without passing through Baton Rouge.

Quote from: jbnv on April 01, 2022, 11:00:47 AM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 31, 2022, 10:37:58 PM
The fact that Gov JBE and the Legislature has placed a high priority on projects like the Lafayette Connector, I-10 in BTR, the ICC, and the new BTR bridge does give them additional boosts for ultimate funding for finishing the design and construction. With the infrastructure bill and the diversion of COVID relief funds, there is a stream of money they can use to get them at least started, if not finished.

If the governor, the legislature and our Congressional delegation can get their act together and work as a team, they could go to Washington and get funding specifically for the I-10 corridor projects (through BR, new bridge/BR bypass and the Calcasieu River bridge). A large portion, if not the majority, of the traffic on the trans-Louisiana corridor is coming from outside the state and/or going to points outside the state. The state shouldn't have to bear the entire burden of maintaining a vital national corridor. We're seeing with hurricane relief that getting our act together and presenting a unified front can reap dividends in Washington.

This is what this has to do with the upcoming elections (Congressional this year, statewide next). I'm no fan of Edwards but I would say he's done a decent job of representing Louisiana on the Congressional stage and with both a Republican president and a Democrat president. I want a governor who can go to the national stages, not act the fool and embarrass us, and do business with the rest of the country for Louisiana's benefit.

I have a question regarding a new Baton Rouge bridge. Is the point of a new bridge to provide locals another crossing, and is that for those in Baton Rouge or those south of the city? To increase capacity on I-10 and any additional freeway crossing?

I'm just looking to clarify the goal here. If the goal is to help those in BTR crossing the Mississippi, I don't see where a new bridge south of I-10 is going to help; something like connecting Gulf States Utilities Road to just north of Port Allen would make more sense. (This wouldn't be easy, but it's the only location I can see it even being possible.) A wider 8-10 lane I-10 bridge would be a better option if the idea is to increase the freeway capacity; a new five lane bridge could be built just north of the current bridge, then the current bridge could be torn down with another five lane bridge eastbound replacing it. It would be a pain during construction, but also would alleviate many of the traffic issues when complete. I'd consider isolating two through lanes on the inside each direction from west of LA 415 to the I-10/12 interchange. The only reason for a south of BTR bridge is to help those south of the city crossing the Mississippi. I'm not saying it's not needed; just saying the goal of relieving I-10 traffic may not be accomplished with any new bridge too distant to change driver habits.

Some of the comments are that LA-30 and LA-1 could EVENTUALLY be converted to a higher capacity road.  If that is a workable solution, any of the crossings make some sense. If either or both is unworkable (with minor adjustments or reroutes,) it doesn't seem to make any sense at all. ANY of them.... Baton Rouge needs to get the congestion off the I-10 bridge and the I-10/I-12 split. A freeway bypass would probably do this.

Surface roads might help the locals , but my guess it would primarily be a vehicle for expansion of Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes. East Baton Rouge Parish is all landed out except for swamp. The west bank here is prime for development... This bridge could benefit that tremendously. It would probably just make the Baton Rouge Freeway traffic worse without freeway lanes facilitating a bypass situation though.   

Baton Rouge (and Lafayette metro) area(s) are growing fast and it is likely that they will outgrow metro New Orleans within a few decades.  To push the sprawl toward the south is something that is probably going to happen. Has to happen if growth is to continue.

There are multiple goals at play. The main goal is to divert some traffic off of the I-10 crossing (the Wilkinson Bridge) and provide alternatives for situations that close the Wilkinson down altogether.

Quote from: bwana39 on April 05, 2022, 02:56:12 PM
Some of the comments are that LA-30 and LA-1 could EVENTUALLY be converted to a higher capacity road.  If that is a workable solution, any of the crossings make some sense. If either or both is unworkable (with minor adjustments or reroutes,) it doesn't seem to make any sense at all.

LA 1 is currently a four-lane expressway from US 190 north of Port Allen to a few miles outside of Donaldsonville. LA 30 is only two lanes south of LSU and needs to be widened well south, probably all the way to its southern interchange with I-10. I would be shocked if DOTD has no plans for expanding LA 30. I'm not aware of any plans to make improvements to the LA 1 expressway (e.g. making it limited access) but I definitely will share my thoughts on that at the public meeting.

Quote from: bwana39 on April 05, 2022, 02:56:12 PM
Surface roads might help the locals , but my guess it would primarily be a vehicle for expansion of Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes. East Baton Rouge Parish is all landed out except for swamp. The west bank here is prime for development... This bridge could benefit that tremendously. ... To push the sprawl toward the south is something that is probably going to happen. Has to happen if growth is to continue.

If Baton Rouge is going to sprawl, it might as well sprawl away from the I-10 corridor. The current situation makes Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes poor places for people to live if they work in Baton Rouge. A new bridge between I-10 and Donaldsonville makes those two parishes much more viable and attractive for commuter homesteads.

Quote from: skluth on April 05, 2022, 02:34:47 PM

Quote from: jbnv on April 01, 2022, 11:00:47 AM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on March 31, 2022, 10:37:58 PM
The fact that Gov JBE and the Legislature has placed a high priority on projects like the Lafayette Connector, I-10 in BTR, the ICC, and the new BTR bridge does give them additional boosts for ultimate funding for finishing the design and construction. With the infrastructure bill and the diversion of COVID relief funds, there is a stream of money they can use to get them at least started, if not finished.

If the governor, the legislature and our Congressional delegation can get their act together and work as a team, they could go to Washington and get funding specifically for the I-10 corridor projects (through BR, new bridge/BR bypass and the Calcasieu River bridge). A large portion, if not the majority, of the traffic on the trans-Louisiana corridor is coming from outside the state and/or going to points outside the state. The state shouldn't have to bear the entire burden of maintaining a vital national corridor. We're seeing with hurricane relief that getting our act together and presenting a unified front can reap dividends in Washington.

This is what this has to do with the upcoming elections (Congressional this year, statewide next). I'm no fan of Edwards but I would say he's done a decent job of representing Louisiana on the Congressional stage and with both a Republican president and a Democrat president. I want a governor who can go to the national stages, not act the fool and embarrass us, and do business with the rest of the country for Louisiana's benefit.

I have a question regarding a new Baton Rouge bridge. Is the point of a new bridge to provide locals another crossing, and is that for those in Baton Rouge or those south of the city? To increase capacity on I-10 and any additional freeway crossing?

I'm just looking to clarify the goal here. If the goal is to help those in BTR crossing the Mississippi, I don't see where a new bridge south of I-10 is going to help; something like connecting Gulf States Utilities Road to just north of Port Allen would make more sense. (This wouldn't be easy, but it's the only location I can see it even being possible.) A wider 8-10 lane I-10 bridge would be a better option if the idea is to increase the freeway capacity; a new five lane bridge could be built just north of the current bridge, then the current bridge could be torn down with another five lane bridge eastbound replacing it. It would be a pain during construction, but also would alleviate many of the traffic issues when complete. I'd consider isolating two through lanes on the inside each direction from west of LA 415 to the I-10/12 interchange. The only reason for a south of BTR bridge is to help those south of the city crossing the Mississippi. I'm not saying it's not needed; just saying the goal of relieving I-10 traffic may not be accomplished with any new bridge too distant to change driver habits.

The problem with replacing the I-10 bridge with a twin span is that that would still create a huge bottleneck for through I-10 traffic, which would necessitate either double-decking or major widening on I-10 between the "Splits" (I-10/I-110 and I-10/I-12), which would be a dead letter with the public. Plus, it would require major revisions to both approaches of I-10, meaning the LA 1 interchange on the west approach and the Nicholson Drive/Highland Road offramps on the east approach would have to be redone. Plus, the expansion on the east side would take out real chunks of historic neighborhoods and Expressway Park just below the 10/110 Split. Both conventional widenings and the double-decked "High Pass" alternatives were analyzed as part of the EIS study; and both were rejected due to costs and strong public opposition.

A south freeway bypass would do much to relieve the traffic off of I-10 thithrough BTR; this proposal is more of what jbnv called a "poor boy's" bypass using existing surface arterials. Combine the proposed LA 415 extension to LA 1, the current proposed bridge, and LA 30, and you pretty much have a semi-cohesive "bypass". Problem is, with the way that West Baton Rouge and Iberville Parish is sprawling, and much of East Baton Rouge Parish is pretty much developed out other than the swamplands east of Gardere, this will fill up pretty quickly to the point that some form of limited access bypass will have to be developed sooner than later. Whether that becomes an entirely new-terrain bypass requiring still another bridge, or simply freewayizing LA 1, LA 70, the Sunshine Bridge, and LA 22 to I-10, remains to be seen.

And, there's also the northern semicircle of the proposed toll loop (using US 190 and Airline Highway) to bring into consideration.

Thank you for sharing that map, jbnv! I actually used to live in West Baton Rouge Parish, so I'm excited that there's some proposals for a new bridge now. I personally think the Addis-Bluebonnet Route is the best option (more on that later), but any of the options north of White Castle and St. Gabriel would work. I sincerely hope that the southernmost options are not considered at the end; this is a Baton Rouge issue, not a Donaldsonville issue. Addis is the 3rd fastest growing city in Louisiana, and most other Baton Rouge suburbs are growing fast by Louisiana standards. They should be better connected to each other.

On the LA 1 expressway idea:

I think that would be very feasible. There's already frontage roads on at least one side on LA 1 for most of the way from Port Allen to Plaquemine, so you could pull off a Texas-style frontage road freeway setup (or at least an expressway) in the area. The I-10 interchange wouldn't require much upgrading to freeway standards. However, Plaquemine is a roadblock to any plans for an expressway/freeway going to any bridge south of it. LA 1 goes straight through town, and there's no room to the east to bypass, and going to the west would be going way out of the way. Addis and Brusly at least already have the ROW acquired for a freeway. Plaquemine doesn't. As a result, a bridge south of Plaquemine would likely create a bottleneck in the city for long-distance traffic. Even then, something; anything, really; would be of massive help to the region.

Quote from: CoreySamson on April 05, 2022, 09:43:38 PM
Thank you for sharing that map, jbnv! I actually used to live in West Baton Rouge Parish, so I'm excited that there's some proposals for a new bridge now. I personally think the Addis-Bluebonnet Route is the best option (more on that later), but any of the options north of White Castle and St. Gabriel would work. I sincerely hope that the southernmost options are not considered at the end; this is a Baton Rouge issue, not a Donaldsonville issue. Addis is the 3rd fastest growing city in Louisiana, and most other Baton Rouge suburbs are growing fast by Louisiana standards. They should be better connected to each other.

On the LA 1 expressway idea:

I think that would be very feasible. There's already frontage roads on at least one side on LA 1 for most of the way from Port Allen to Plaquemine, so you could pull off a Texas-style frontage road freeway setup (or at least an expressway) in the area. The I-10 interchange wouldn't require much upgrading to freeway standards. However, Plaquemine is a roadblock to any plans for an expressway/freeway going to any bridge south of it. LA 1 goes straight through town, and there's no room to the east to bypass, and going to the west would be going way out of the way. Addis and Brusly at least already have the ROW acquired for a freeway. Plaquemine doesn't. As a result, a bridge south of Plaquemine would likely create a bottleneck in the city for long-distance traffic. Even then, something; anything, really; would be of massive help to the region.

Thanks and you're welcome! I'm putting my early money on the Addis-Bluebonnet connection. I think you're right, Plaquemine is not going to like the idea of a bunch of bypass traffic clogging up their main artery.

Quote from: jbnv on April 06, 2022, 11:46:30 AM

Quote from: CoreySamson on April 05, 2022, 09:43:38 PM
Thank you for sharing that map, jbnv! I actually used to live in West Baton Rouge Parish, so I'm excited that there's some proposals for a new bridge now. I personally think the Addis-Bluebonnet Route is the best option (more on that later), but any of the options north of White Castle and St. Gabriel would work. I sincerely hope that the southernmost options are not considered at the end; this is a Baton Rouge issue, not a Donaldsonville issue. Addis is the 3rd fastest growing city in Louisiana, and most other Baton Rouge suburbs are growing fast by Louisiana standards. They should be better connected to each other.

On the LA 1 expressway idea:

I think that would be very feasible. There's already frontage roads on at least one side on LA 1 for most of the way from Port Allen to Plaquemine, so you could pull off a Texas-style frontage road freeway setup (or at least an expressway) in the area. The I-10 interchange wouldn't require much upgrading to freeway standards. However, Plaquemine is a roadblock to any plans for an expressway/freeway going to any bridge south of it. LA 1 goes straight through town, and there's no room to the east to bypass, and going to the west would be going way out of the way. Addis and Brusly at least already have the ROW acquired for a freeway. Plaquemine doesn't. As a result, a bridge south of Plaquemine would likely create a bottleneck in the city for long-distance traffic. Even then, something; anything, really; would be of massive help to the region.

Thanks and you're welcome! I'm putting my early money on the Addis-Bluebonnet connection. I think you're right, Plaquemine is not going to like the idea of a bunch of bypass traffic clogging up their main artery.

I would be interested to see how much traffic an Addis-Bluebonnet bridge would take off I-10 at rush hour, what with all the plants along LA 1 and with how much traffic backs up on northbound LA-1 to get on to eastbound I-10 and the bridge.  I used to make visits to a facility just west of LA 1 and north of Plaquemine, and if I didn't leave the site before 2:00pm it would take upwards of 2 hours to get to the I-10 bridge, across the bridge (constantly looking in my rear-view mirror to see who was going to plow into the back of me as I'm stopped in traffic on the downslope of the bridge), and then through BR to I-12 for the rest of the trip home.  I don't miss that at all.

LADOTD just released an official webpage dedicated to this project:

https://mrbsouth.com

They also announced that they would begin holding the first of a series of public meetings on the project on April 11th.

Press release here:

http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=29706 (http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=29706)

They've reduced the number of alignments down to 10,

It appears that the Addis/Bluebonnet alternative won't make it due to navigational issues; however, an alignment just south of the "oxbow" of the river just a bit further south of Addis to where LA 30 meets Burbank Drive did make it into the second round of alternatives. Other alternatives are further south of Plaquemine and near White Castle to near St. Gabriel.

I still can't see how they will get this through without a true freeway/tollway bypass, since that would put a lot of pressure on LA 1 and LA 30 as arterial routes. But, we'll see.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 11, 2022, 03:41:54 PM
They've reduced the number of alignments down to 10,

It appears that the Addis/Bluebonnet alternative won't make it due to navigational issues; however, an alignment just south of the "oxbow" of the river just a bit further south of Addis to where LA 30 meets Burbank Drive did make it into the second round of alternatives.

Is this information on the site? It's not in the graphic that the Advocate released.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 11, 2022, 03:41:54 PM
I still can't see how they will get this through without a true freeway/tollway bypass, since that would put a lot of pressure on LA 1 and LA 30 as arterial routes.

LA 1 is already a divided road. LA 30 needs to be widened south to I-10 even without this bridge.

Quote from: jbnv on April 11, 2022, 03:57:10 PM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 11, 2022, 03:41:54 PM
They've reduced the number of alignments down to 10,

It appears that the Addis/Bluebonnet alternative won't make it due to navigational issues; however, an alignment just south of the "oxbow" of the river just a bit further south of Addis to where LA 30 meets Burbank Drive did make it into the second round of alternatives.

Is this information on the site? It's not in the graphic that the Advocate released.

The graphic I quoted is in the latest updated pdf they posted to their website where they showed the alternatives that were retained and rejected. When I have some time, I'll post it here.

Quote from: jbnv on April 11, 2022, 03:57:10 PM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 11, 2022, 03:41:54 PM
I still can't see how they will get this through without a true freeway/tollway bypass, since that would put a lot of pressure on LA 1 and LA 30 as arterial routes.

LA 1 is already a divided road. LA 30 needs to be widened south to I-10 even without this bridge.

LA 1 is 4-lane divided only to Plaquemine, I believe; then it goes to 2-lane from there to Donaldsonville. So, even with some alternatives, that will have to be widened as well.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 11, 2022, 07:01:57 PM
LA 1 is 4-lane divided only to Plaquemine, I believe; then it goes to 2-lane from there to Donaldsonville. So, even with some alternatives, that will have to be widened as well.

It's four lanes all the way to White Castle. It uses two separate streets through the center of Plaquemine, and is 4+1 for a stretch south of Plaquemine before splitting again.

Apparently everyone else is quickly realizing that LA 30 needs to be widened.

QuoteWith new Mississippi River Bridge planned, coalition calls for La. 30 widening in Ascension (https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_03fb4bce-ba7f-11ec-8e77-2b5366410dc7.html)

With 10 potential sites for a new Mississippi River bridge on the drawing board, Ascension Parish leaders have formed a coalition to advocate for expanding a heavily traveled highway through the parish.

The project, which would expand La. 30 from two to four lanes, has been long-sought for the east bank of the parish, which will be impacted traffic-wise with whatever new bridge is built.

"On the other side of the river, the impact of the new bridge will be the same on La. 1," Ascension Chamber of Commerce President Anthony Ramirez said.

The Highway 30 Coalition of more than 20 representatives of Ascension Parish elected officials, public bodies, civic groups and industry was launched Tuesday at a press conference in Gonzales.

Quote from: jbnv on April 12, 2022, 09:03:59 AM
It's four lanes all the way to White Castle.

Needs to be four lanes to Whataburger.

Quote from: armadillo speedbump on April 13, 2022, 07:28:31 PM

Quote from: jbnv on April 12, 2022, 09:03:59 AM
It's four lanes all the way to White Castle.

Needs to be four lanes to Whataburger.

Whataburger is on Burbank, within the shadow of Tiger Stadium.

Well the house panel didn't go for it: https://www.businessreport.com/business/house-panel-declines-to-back-gov-edwards-500m-mississippi-river-bridge-request

First public meeting was yesterday in Baton Rouge. Not much to report; basically everything that they're putting on mrbsouth.com but with people there to answer questions.

One big takeaway: They expect the project to cost $1.3-1.9 billion in total.

Excerpts from the Advocate's report (https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_abb4cab6-c42f-11ec-be32-ffd58ad1d43a.html) on the meeting in Baton Rouge:

Quote
A total of 325 had visited the open house by 6:30 p.m., according to a spokesperson for DOTD.

Quote
"We live in University Club," said Sally Daly. "It is going to impact us. Somebody is going to be mad."

Officials are under pressure to settle on a site, in part because some top lawmakers are reluctant to commit $500 million for a bridge without a site picked.

Jay Campbell, chairman of the seven-member state panel that will make the choice, was at the meeting and said he hopes to trim the list of possibilities to three by the third or fourth week of May. "Obviously the Legislature wants to see a level of progress," Campbell said. "But we have to go through the processes that are mandated to get any kind of federal funding," said Campbell, who leads the Capital Area Road and Bridge District.

QuoteOne recurring worry among some at the open house is the possibility that already-crowded Bluebonnet Boulevard could become a link between Interstate 10 and La. Hwy. 30 on the east side. Fred Raiford, director of transportation and drainage for East Baton Rouge Parish, sits on the seven-member panel and has said he does not want Bluebonnet to serve as a connector between I-10 and La. 30.

Quote
Judy Eits said she is bothered that the bridge may be constructed too far south, to get traffic to New Orleans. Eits said lots of traffic on the current bridge near Port Allen, especially 18-wheelers, is trying to get to I-12 on the way east and those drivers want to avoid New Orleans. "I don't know that is our big problem," she said, meaning making it easier for motorists to get to eastbound I-10.

Julius Cline, of Baton Rouge, made a similar point. "I am concerned that they are going to build it so far south it is not going to help Baton Rouge," Cline said.

Yeah, building this bridge as a connection to existing arterial streets is a recipe for disaster. It needs to be a full freeway bypass of I-10 from west of Westport to near Addis to just north of Gonzales.

Or, just build a connection to US 190 west of Lobdell and upgrade Airline Highway to freeway all the way down to Jefferson Highway (the BUMP project).

Quote from: jbnv on April 26, 2022, 03:40:38 PM

Quote
Judy Eits said she is bothered that the bridge may be constructed too far south, to get traffic to New Orleans. Eits said lots of traffic on the current bridge near Port Allen, especially 18-wheelers, is trying to get to I-12 on the way east and those drivers want to avoid New Orleans. "I don't know that is our big problem," she said, meaning making it easier for motorists to get to eastbound I-10.

Julius Cline, of Baton Rouge, made a similar point. "I am concerned that they are going to build it so far south it is not going to help Baton Rouge," Cline said.

Exactly my biggest fear about the project. With the current political climate, people are likely going to endlessly argue over where the bridge should go, and probably will end up putting it in the path of least resistance, which inevitably will be where it is of least help to BR. I genuinely hope that this won't be the case. This bridge should relieve the Horace Wilkinson bridge, not the Sunshine bridge.

I totally get not bringing it in to Bluebonnet. That area was busy when I lived there, and I'm sure it's only gotten busier since then. Adding more traffic to that area might result in a bigger mess than what BR is right now. I feel like the best course of action to relieve traffic off of I-10 and Bluebonnet would be to construct a new arterial to the south of Highland Road over towards Prairieville over all that undeveloped land out there (but wasn't there a group of NIMBYs that opposed any construction in that area? My memory is fuzzy).

DOTD has met and reduced the list of possible routes from ten to three. Awaiting confirmation on which three have been chosen. A tweet from BRAC says the remaining options are "each located in or near Iberville Parish" and I saw a graphic that shows three options all south of Plaquemines, which I think is bad news for the project.

UPDATE via DOTD. Yeah, no way the people of Plaquemine let that fly.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTx9Mb1WAAMRd1f?format=jpg&name=small)

Quote from: jbnv on May 27, 2022, 01:26:32 PM
DOTD has met and reduced the list of possible routes from ten to three. Awaiting confirmation on which three have been chosen. A tweet from BRAC says the remaining options are "each located in or near Iberville Parish" and I saw a graphic that shows three options all south of Plaquemines, which I think is bad news for the project.

UPDATE via DOTD. Yeah, no way the people of Plaquemine let that fly.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTx9Mb1WAAMRd1f?format=jpg&name=small)

Wow.  That is pretty much useless for relieving I-10 traffic on the bridge in Baton Rouge.  Glad I don't have to cross that bridge much anymore -- one of the benefits of retirement.

They need to build a reasonable bypass and then afterwards tear down the existing bridge, rebuild it, and expand it to 8-10 lanes.

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on May 27, 2022, 04:43:33 PM
They need to build a reasonable bypass and then afterwards tear down the existing bridge, rebuild it, and expand it to 8-10 lanes.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Quote from: rte66man on May 27, 2022, 05:36:05 PM

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on May 27, 2022, 04:43:33 PM
They need to build a reasonable bypass and then afterwards tear down the existing bridge, rebuild it, and expand it to 8-10 lanes.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Yeah, without any realistic plan to pay for it, a bypass is out of the question. And demolishing and rebuilding the Horace Wilkinson is flatly not going to happen no matter how much cash the government prints.

Personally, if I were DOTD I wouldn't even bother with a new bridge at this point. I'd take the $500 million or so and invest it in upgrades to the existing network of highways in the region:

* Make LA 1 and LA 3089 a limited-access freeway between US 160 and LA 70. (This probably won't ever happen entirely through Plaquemine and Donaldsonville, but pretty much all of the rest of the stretch is already divided.

* Make LA 70 four-lane divided from LA 3127 to LA 22. Then make the stretch between LA 3127 and LA 3125 limited access (this includes the Sunshine Bridge).

* Make LA 3125 and LA 3127 four-lane divided.

These changes make the poor-man's bypass around Baton Rouge via the Sunshine Bridge. Then make improvements that give Baton Rouge-area drivers more viable options besides I-10:

* Make LA 30 expressway from LSU to Airline Highway (US 61). This needs to be done anyway, whether we get a new bridge or not.

* Build overpasses on Airline Highway at intersections with state highways that also intersect I-10 (LA 30, LA 22, LA 641 at a minimum).

We should also have a serious conversation about limiting access to Airline Highway entirely between the Huey P. Long Bridge (spit) and I-10. That's going to cost a lot more than a Mississippi River bridge but, again, it would make Airline Highway more of a viable alternative to I-10 for some drivers.

Oh it'll happen it's just a matter of when not if. Bridges don't last forever.

Quote from: rte66man on May 27, 2022, 05:36:05 PM

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on May 27, 2022, 04:43:33 PM
They need to build a reasonable bypass and then afterwards tear down the existing bridge, rebuild it, and expand it to 8-10 lanes.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Also, would require complete rebuilding of the I-10/I-110 Split interchange and excessive ROW takings over downtown. DOA.

Those proposed crossings would not be too bad IF this was connected to a full south freeway/tollway BTR bypass.   

But, for traffic coming from Plaquemine or Addis or the Port of West Baton Rouge wanting to access I-10 to get to I-12 or downtown? This does absolutely nothing for them.

A freeway upgrade of LA 1/LA 3089/LA 70 (with bypasses of Plaquemine, Donaldsonville, Addis, and White Castle) might not be so feasible because of the proximity of the Union Pacific Railroad line along LA 1, bringing the freeway through Port Allen proper, and upgrading the capacity of the LA 1/I-10 interchange with connections to the PoWBR.

Also, the Sunshine Bridge would be a bit too far south to be useful as a BTR bypass.

The best location for an I-10 bypass bridge would be just south of Addis to near where Bluebonnet Road meets Gardere Lane (LA 30), then generally paralleling Bluebonnet just to the south of Burbank Lane on the boundary of the wetlands to meet I-10 south of the Perkins Road/Highland Road interchange. That could then tie into a western extension to connect with I-10 west of LA 415, and then US 190 just west of Lobdell (the current LA 415 interchange). You'd have to find a way to weave the highway around the casino located at the extension of Bluebonnet, but there is ROW available (if a bit tight).

If they go here with the bridge crossing, they better start planning on upgrading Airline Highway & US 190 to freeway standards and upgrading the 190 Mississippi River Bridge, because this isn't solving the issue at all.

Either that, or I-49 South between Lafayette and New Orleans becomes the "real" BTR bypass.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 28, 2022, 09:18:12 PM
A freeway upgrade of LA 1/LA 3089/LA 70 (with bypasses of Plaquemine, Donaldsonville, Addis, and White Castle) might not be so feasible because of the proximity of the Union Pacific Railroad line along LA 1, bringing the freeway through Port Allen proper, and upgrading the capacity of the LA 1/I-10 interchange with connections to the PoWBR.

I don't see that route ever becoming a full freeway. At best it will get the US 90 treatment of gradual replacement of intersections with controlled interchanges.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 28, 2022, 09:18:12 PM
Also, the Sunshine Bridge would be a bit too far south to be useful as a BTR bypass.

Not by itself and not for all traffic bound for points southeast. There's already a "poor man's bypass" along the river with LA 3089, LA 70, LA 3127, LA 3125, US 61 and I-310. If we add capacity and limit some of the access, the existing footprint could serve as a viable alternative for some (definitely not all) of the traffic in the area that currently uses I-10. I'd rather focus our efforts on improving the existing network than dumping a bunch of money into one bridge that will do little to solve the real problem.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 28, 2022, 09:18:12 PM
The best location for an I-10 bypass bridge would be just south of Addis to near where Bluebonnet Road meets Gardere Lane (LA 30), then generally paralleling Bluebonnet just to the south of Burbank Lane.

It's clearly the best location and made it to the semifinalist round, but has been eliminated from consideration.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on May 28, 2022, 09:18:12 PM
Either that, or I-49 South between Lafayette and New Orleans becomes the "real" BTR bypass.

Along with the poor-man's bypasses, yes.

https://www.wwno.org/2022-09-27/who-would-a-new-baton-rouge-bridge-benefit-most-local-commuters-or-cross-country-trucks

Update on this project estimated at $3 billion:

QuoteWith statewide elections on the horizon in Louisiana this year, some Baton Rouge-area officials working to bring a new Mississippi River bridge to the region are worried leadership changes could derail construction before it even starts.

"We should be very cognizant of the election cycle," John Diez, Ascension Parish chief administrative officer, said during a June 26 meeting of the Capitol Area Road and Bridge District (CARB-D). "You'll have a lot of people not from Baton Rouge who, quite honestly, don't understand what this corridor means to our economy. Now is the time to educate them on why this is important."

The district, a commission made up of officials from the five parishes most affected by the project, held its quarterly meeting to discuss hiring a consultant tasked with creating informational material on the project's benefits for those running for elected office this fall.
The Advocate news site in Baton Rouge reported the project is currently in the middle of an environmental review of the three sites that are in the running for the bridge. Each of them is in Iberville Parish, just south of Plaquemine on the west side and St. Gabriel on the east.

During their March meeting, CARB-D members said they hoped to pick the final site by spring 2024. That estimate was delayed June 26 by contractors hired to manage the project by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), who said a decision will be finalized by the following August.

Read more here: https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/plans-advance-for-baton-rouge-area-mississippi-river-bridge-but-need-support/61599

(https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/800x0_s3-61599-Screenshot-2023-06-29-at-10_14_15-AM.jpg)

What's the likelihood that the bridge will be built? At $3 billion, it seems like another bridge in the Baton Rouge may be unaffordable. A shame really, it was a noble proposal.

Not from the area or Louisiana, but why is the new bridge proposal out of the way? Is there a plan for a southern bypass?

Quote from: Strider on June 30, 2023, 07:25:31 PM
Not from the area or Louisiana, but why is the new bridge proposal out of the way? Is there a plan for a southern bypass?

There is no southern bypass currently planned IIRC. LA 1 and LA 30 will end up providing a pseudo bypass, but I can't see it being effective for long-range traffic. They had some proposals north of Plaquemine, but I believe that they were rejected because of potential river navigation problems and because the residents on the south side of Baton Rouge don't want a massive bridge and approach running through their backyard.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 30, 2023, 07:24:05 PM
What's the likelihood that the bridge will be built? At $3 billion, it seems like another bridge in the Baton Rouge may be unaffordable. A shame really, it was a noble proposal.

$3 billion seems excessively high, even with recent inflation. A report in the New Orleans newspaper says "possibly $3 billion project", so it's not clear to me if that is an official estimate. The Baton Rouge chamber of commerce site says "DOTD projects the new bridge's construction costs to total around $1.5 billion." But of course that is unofficial and could be outdated.

The Sam Houston Tollway Bridge, with 8 lanes, full shoulders and 175-foot-clearance, sustained a massive cost overrun (more than $300 million) due to changing the design after construction started. The HCTRA web site lists the cost at $962 million, and a recent news report (probably more accurate) reports the cost is $1.3 billion.

The Corpus Christi Harbor bridge price was locked in years ago before recent inflation, and the web site lists the cost at $803 million. It will be the longest cable-stay bridge in the United States with a 205-foot vertical clearance. The project includes a new interchange at I-37 and "The project will include the development, design, construction, and maintenance of a total of 6.44 miles of bridge and connecting roadway."

I would have guessed that the Baton Rouge bridge will cost between $1 and $1.5 billion. $3 billion could be a non-starter.

As CoreySampson mentioned, the bridge is not going to be suitable as a bypass for Baton Rouge because of the poor connections on LA 1 and LA 30.

If extreme infrastructure inflation continues, it's going to become increasingly difficult or impossible to build anything substantial. Even Texas, with its vastly larger financial resources than Louisiana, is feeling the pain of around 50% inflation in highway construction costs in the last two years.

3 billion for the bridge, and freeway connections back to I-10 on both sides would not be unreasonable.

The discussion seems to flip and flop from full freeway to a regional feeder that Might eventually have freeway access (but it actually this eventual freeway access doesn"t seem feasable).  One strange discussion would make the bridge primarily for access to Baton Rouge from the growing West Bank along LA-1. Literally to feed MORE traffic onto I-10.

Quote from: bwana39 on July 01, 2023, 06:26:33 AM
3 billion for the bridge, and freeway connections back to I-10 on both sides would not be unreasonable.

The discussion seems to flip and flop from full freeway to a regional feeder that Might eventually have freeway access (but it actually this eventual freeway access doesn"t seem feasable).  One strange discussion would make the bridge primarily for access to Baton Rouge from the growing West Bank along LA-1. Literally to feed MORE traffic onto I-10.

That latter discussion seems kind of off, because the proposed location for the bridge is waaay too far south for traffic from Plaquemine and Addis and points northward to effectively access Baton Rouge, unless they plan on widening LA 30/Nicholson Drive through LSU. All of that traffic will simply trudge through on LA 1 up to Port Allen and then use an already crowded I-10 bridge.

They absolutely have to build it freeway grade from the beginning and complete it as a south bypass of I-10, because anything less will be insufficient for relieving traffic on I-10 even after it's widened in BTR.

If they can't do that, then upgrade LA 1 with bypasses of Plaquemine and Donaldsonville south from I-10 to the Sunshine Bridge, make a freeway connection from there back to I-10 south of Sorrento/Gonzales, build the North Bypass segment of the Baton Rouge Toll Loop with an upgrade of Airline Highway, and finish I-49 South through Lafayette to NOLA (or, at least, I-310 in Luling).

This is the a synopsis of why and how the selection of location was made.  It CLEARLY leans toward the LOCAL TRAFFIC.

https://www.wrkf.org/news/2022-09-27/who-would-a-new-baton-rouge-bridge-benefit-most-local-commuters-or-cross-country-trucks

I am not sure I agree with it, but that is what the consultant says.

Quote from: bwana39 on July 01, 2023, 04:31:37 PM
This is the a synopsis of why and how the selection of location was made.  It CLEARLY leans toward the LOCAL TRAFFIC.

https://www.wrkf.org/news/2022-09-27/who-would-a-new-baton-rouge-bridge-benefit-most-local-commuters-or-cross-country-trucks

I am not sure I agree with it, but that is what the consultant says.

I think the problem MAY be that they look at the traffic mix as simply 18-wheelers and not 18-wheelers.  Are they looking at the all of the light vehicles crossing the Mississippi at I-10 and defining them as LOCAL?  (or perhaps a ratio that may or may not be accurate.) I think a better way to judge this would be taking the total traffic across the Atchafalaya on I-10 (EB) and subtract the traffic going SB on LA-1. THis should approximate the through I-10 traffic.  I wish I had Bridgehunter to get easy figures. I could do it in the NBI, but ......

I'm not crazy about the selected locations, but I can kinda see their reasoning.  There is a lot of industry on both sides of the river, especially near Plaquemine on the west bank and St. Gabriel on the east bank (I used to visit one of the facilities just north of Plaquemine several times a year).  Workers for those plants live on both sides of the river, so hopefully the thought process is that taking some of that traffic (and some of the support vehicles for the plants) off the I-10 bridge will help.  The bypass from LA 415 to LA 1 will also help offload some of the traffic on eastbound I-10 that has to go to the bridge approach before turning off onto LA 1.

I'm sorry, but at this point, I would rather the project die than them continuing to waste time on this. What Baton Rouge actually needs, like legitimately needs RIGHT NOW, is a southern bypass route for I-10 traffic going towards New Orleans. A full freeway bypass. But this isn't it. The best place to put a bridge would have been between Brusly and Addis. There is nothing on the Baton Rouge side of the river at that location. Its just vacant land, and the freeway would easily squeeze its way between Gardere and the casino and meet I-10 south or north of Gonzalez.

These current plans do nothing to actually fix the real traffic issues that the region is facing and would be a waste of money. There are already bridges between  Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Any one trying to cross the river south of Plaquemines can take the Sunshine Bridge, the Gramercy Bridge, or the 310 Bridge. If they must build another, it should be a separate project in addition to a southern Baton Rouge Bypass route. If one bridge must be built at the expense of the other, the BR Bypass should take top priority. To me, this purely Louisiana's idiotic state politics getting in the way of an actual useful idea just to appease a few loudmouth people rather than the actual greater good of the community. The same way suburban interests killed any chance of a BR loop.

Quote from: The Road Warrior on September 09, 2023, 05:18:48 AM
I'm sorry, but at this point, I would rather the project die than them continuing to waste time on this. What Baton Rouge actually needs, like legitimately needs RIGHT NOW, is a southern bypass route for I-10 traffic going towards New Orleans. A full freeway bypass. But this isn't it. The best place to put a bridge would have been between Brusly and Addis. There is nothing on the Baton Rouge side of the river at that location. Its just vacant land, and the freeway would easily squeeze its way between Gardere and the casino and meet I-10 south or north of Gonzalez.

These current plans do nothing to actually fix the real traffic issues that the region is facing and would be a waste of money. There are already bridges between  Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Any one trying to cross the river south of Plaquemines can take the Sunshine Bridge, the Gramercy Bridge, or the 310 Bridge. If they must build another, it should be a separate project in addition to a southern Baton Rouge Bypass route. If one bridge must be built at the expense of the other, the BR Bypass should take top priority. To me, this purely Louisiana's idiotic state politics getting in the way of an actual useful idea just to appease a few loudmouth people rather than the actual greater good of the community. The same way suburban interests killed any chance of a BR loop.

The proposals seem to be oriented around local Baton Rouge traffic and little to nothing to do with cross country traffic. IE integrating the south side of the river with Baton Rouge itself.

Quote from: bwana39 on September 09, 2023, 01:26:07 PM

Quote from: The Road Warrior on September 09, 2023, 05:18:48 AM
I'm sorry, but at this point, I would rather the project die than them continuing to waste time on this. What Baton Rouge actually needs, like legitimately needs RIGHT NOW, is a southern bypass route for I-10 traffic going towards New Orleans. A full freeway bypass. But this isn't it. The best place to put a bridge would have been between Brusly and Addis. There is nothing on the Baton Rouge side of the river at that location. Its just vacant land, and the freeway would easily squeeze its way between Gardere and the casino and meet I-10 south or north of Gonzalez.

These current plans do nothing to actually fix the real traffic issues that the region is facing and would be a waste of money. There are already bridges between  Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Any one trying to cross the river south of Plaquemines can take the Sunshine Bridge, the Gramercy Bridge, or the 310 Bridge. If they must build another, it should be a separate project in addition to a southern Baton Rouge Bypass route. If one bridge must be built at the expense of the other, the BR Bypass should take top priority. To me, this purely Louisiana's idiotic state politics getting in the way of an actual useful idea just to appease a few loudmouth people rather than the actual greater good of the community. The same way suburban interests killed any chance of a BR loop.

The proposals seem to be oriented around local Baton Rouge traffic and little to nothing to do with cross country traffic. IE integrating the south side of the river with Baton Rouge itself.

Also, my experience is that most of the through traffic going through Baton Rouge on I-10 is actually destined for I-12 rather than staying on I-10 and headed to New Orleans (at the 10-12 split 3 lanes go to I-12 and only 2 to I-10).

The I-10 bridge near downtown Baton Rouge will need to be replaced and hopefully widened to 4 lanes each way with shoulders. Perhaps once this proposed bridge is fixed traffic can be detoured to that one.

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 09, 2023, 04:19:30 PM
The I-10 bridge near downtown Baton Rouge will need to be replaced and hopefully widened to 4 lanes each way with shoulders. Perhaps once this proposed bridge is fixed traffic can be detoured to that one.

I'm not aware of any discussion on replacing the I-10 bridge in downtown BR at any point in the foreseeable future.  That will be a multi-billion dollar undertaking, considering how the approach roads tie in to the bridge on both sides of the river.

Quote from: rlb2024 on September 09, 2023, 04:36:11 PM

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 09, 2023, 04:19:30 PM
The I-10 bridge near downtown Baton Rouge will need to be replaced and hopefully widened to 4 lanes each way with shoulders. Perhaps once this proposed bridge is fixed traffic can be detoured to that one.

I'm not aware of any discussion on replacing the I-10 bridge in downtown BR at any point in the foreseeable future.  That will be a multi-billion dollar undertaking, considering how the approach roads tie in to the bridge on both sides of the river.

Oh absolutely it will be a ways away before that conversation begins. At least when it does a detour via a new bridge can be an option.

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 09, 2023, 05:26:55 PM

Quote from: rlb2024 on September 09, 2023, 04:36:11 PM

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 09, 2023, 04:19:30 PM
The I-10 bridge near downtown Baton Rouge will need to be replaced and hopefully widened to 4 lanes each way with shoulders. Perhaps once this proposed bridge is fixed traffic can be detoured to that one.

I'm not aware of any discussion on replacing the I-10 bridge in downtown BR at any point in the foreseeable future.  That will be a multi-billion dollar undertaking, considering how the approach roads tie in to the bridge on both sides of the river.

Oh absolutely it will be a ways away before that conversation begins. At least when it does a detour via a new bridge can be an option.

I would think a more likely scenario in BR is that a parallel, second bridge would eventually be built and each bridge would become single-direction, similar to what was done with the Crescent City Connection in downtown New Orleans.  (Hard to believe it's been almost 40 years since the second bridge opened there . . .)

Quote from: The Road Warrior on September 09, 2023, 05:18:48 AM
I'm sorry, but at this point, I would rather the project die than them continuing to waste time on this. What Baton Rouge actually needs, like legitimately needs RIGHT NOW, is a southern bypass route for I-10 traffic going towards New Orleans. A full freeway bypass. But this isn't it. The best place to put a bridge would have been between Brusly and Addis. There is nothing on the Baton Rouge side of the river at that location. Its just vacant land, and the freeway would easily squeeze its way between Gardere and the casino and meet I-10 south or north of Gonzalez.

These current plans do nothing to actually fix the real traffic issues that the region is facing and would be a waste of money. There are already bridges between  Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Any one trying to cross the river south of Plaquemines can take the Sunshine Bridge, the Gramercy Bridge, or the 310 Bridge. If they must build another, it should be a separate project in addition to a southern Baton Rouge Bypass route. If one bridge must be built at the expense of the other, the BR Bypass should take top priority. To me, this purely Louisiana's idiotic state politics getting in the way of an actual useful idea just to appease a few loudmouth people rather than the actual greater good of the community. The same way suburban interests killed any chance of a BR loop.

If that is the case, then focus on completing I-49 South through Lafayette to NOLA.

Though, I agree that a freeway-grade south bypass needs to be the way to go.

Twinning the I-10 bridge across the Mississippi River is a non-starter, because of the severe disruption that would cause with both the LA 1 interchange on the west approach and the connection to the I-10/I-110 Split, which could potentially involve displacements in sensitive parks and historical districts on the east approach.

Best approach is a combination of a south freeway bypass and a connection north to an upgraded Airline Highway from just west of LA 415 to I-12.

Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

Quote from: Bobby5280 on September 11, 2023, 11:46:54 PM
Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

It already is.  It is signed as an emergency I-10 bypass route -- at least coming from the west into BR.  (When we come back from Shreveport we usually go that way anyway, since the I-10 bridge is a cluster-flop 70 percent of the time . . .)

Quote from: Bobby5280 on September 11, 2023, 11:46:54 PM
Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

I don't think replacing the I-10 bridge is a great rush. BUT  A failure like in Memphis would be far more significant than the failure at Memphis was. The thing is Expanding I-10 is not the answer. If you understand traffic, neither is a southern loop.

The best answer is a new northern bypass. A loop through Port Allen and ( a new bridge to)cross the River to meet the intersection of I-110 and US-61 in Scotlandville. The real question is how to get the freeway to I-12 without making the extra mileage break the bank both in construction costs AND road miles. 

I-12 is the through route. I-10 is a loop through New Orleans. If freeways made sense and politics had nothing to do with it, I-10 from Baton Rouge to New Orleans (or Maybe just LaPlace) should be I-(x)10 and I-12 should be I-10.

Do you really want to add traffic to the I-10 /I-12 split with a new feeder bridge?

If there was a wish list, there are two  freeways Baton Rouge would want. A new route from New Roads to Alexandria. (As well as freeway along US-61 to meet LA-10 south of St Francisville.) The Second would be an upgrade of US-61 to Natchez and a freeway to Delhi / Monroe (and perhaps Little Rock & places north.)  The US-61 to US-425 one would be the preferable one, BUT there are around 50 miles in Mississippi and they aren't likely to want to play.  Either of these would  serve as hurricane evacuation routes. While Baton Rouge is far enough inland to miss the brunt for hurricanes, it is not a good stopping point for evacuees. Getting them further north is still important.

Quote from: rlb2024 on September 12, 2023, 04:55:43 PM

Quote from: Bobby5280 on September 11, 2023, 11:46:54 PM
Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

It already is.  It is signed as an emergency I-10 bypass route -- at least coming from the west into BR.  (When we come back from Shreveport we usually go that way anyway, since the I-10 bridge is a cluster-flop 70 percent of the time . . .)

Right now, Google maps sends you from I-49 at Opelousas along US-190 to get to the capitol (which is just off of I-10) (64 miles 1 hr 7 mins) versus I-10 at 75.78 miles and 1 hour & 12 minutes. My experience says I-10 never runs above the speed limit and US-190 rarely averages as slow as the speed limit, so the time should be a little bit less on US-190.

On the other hand, if I were pulling a trailer (including a TT combo) I would not use 190.

Quote from: bwana39 on September 12, 2023, 05:11:10 PM

Quote from: Bobby5280 on September 11, 2023, 11:46:54 PM
Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

I don't think replacing the I-10 bridge is a great rush. BUT  A failure like in Memphis would be far more significant than the failure at Memphis was. The thing is Expanding I-10 is not the answer. If you understand traffic, neither is a southern loop.

The best answer is a new northern bypass. A loop through Port Allen and ( a new bridge to)cross the River to meet the intersection of I-110 and US-61 in Scotlandville. The real question is how to get the freeway to I-12 without making the extra mileage break the bank both in construction costs AND road miles. 

I-12 is the through route. I-10 is a loop through New Orleans. If freeways made sense and politics had nothing to do with it, I-10 from Baton Rouge to New Orleans (or Maybe just LaPlace) should be I-(x)10 and I-12 should be I-10.

Do you really want to add traffic to the I-10 /I-12 split with a new feeder bridge?

If there was a wish list, there are two  freeways Baton Rouge would want. A new route from New Roads to Alexandria. (As well as freeway along US-61 to meet LA-10 south of St Francisville.) The Second would be an upgrade of US-61 to Natchez and a freeway to Delhi / Monroe (and perhaps Little Rock & places north.)  The US-61 to US-425 one would be the preferable one, BUT there are around 50 miles in Mississippi and they aren't likely to want to play.  Either of these would  serve as hurricane evacuation routes. While Baton Rouge is far enough inland to miss the brunt for hurricanes, it is not a good stopping point for evacuees. Getting them further north is still important.

Quote from: rlb2024 on September 12, 2023, 04:55:43 PM

Quote from: Bobby5280 on September 11, 2023, 11:46:54 PM
Obviously they need to do a South bypass of Baton Rouge to provide I-10 a relief route for when they finally do something about that old bridge. Of course I can just predict some of the penny pincher style politicians floating an idea of making motorists use I-110 and the old Huey P Long bridge as a substitute in the event the existing I-10 bridge becomes not usable.

It already is.  It is signed as an emergency I-10 bypass route -- at least coming from the west into BR.  (When we come back from Shreveport we usually go that way anyway, since the I-10 bridge is a cluster-flop 70 percent of the time . . .)

Right now, Google maps sends you from I-49 at Opelousas along US-190 to get to the capitol (which is just off of I-10) (64 miles 1 hr 7 mins) versus I-10 at 75.78 miles and 1 hour & 12 minutes. My experience says I-10 never runs above the speed limit and US-190 rarely averages as slow as the speed limit, so the time should be a little bit less on US-190.

On the other hand, if I were pulling a trailer (including a TT combo) I would not use 190.

Sure (from 2004)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4730/25566639768_2b418b943d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EXeHgW)

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 13, 2023, 11:14:17 PM


Sure (from 2004)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4730/25566639768_2b418b943d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EXeHgW)

This would have been a good start.   Ironically, it has I-12 LABELED as I-10.

It reused the US-190 bridge too. .  It even was a good fit to a new bridge around Southern University. EVENTUALLY.

Like you said this was 2 decades ago. It probably has less traction now than it did then. The population of METRO Baton Rouge has ballooned. Baton Rouge proper has slightly shrunk in population. Much of the growth is across the Mississippi River IE: South and west.
North Baton Rouge (city) is  almost solely a minority area. Two different problems present there. The local interests may not want a freeway and the racists may not want to spend money there.

I said it was needed, I certainly didn't say it would be built or even significantly supported.

Quote from: bwana39 on September 14, 2023, 09:33:27 AM

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 13, 2023, 11:14:17 PM


Sure (from 2004)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4730/25566639768_2b418b943d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EXeHgW)

This would have been a good start.   Ironically, it has I-12 LABELED as I-10.

It reused the US-190 bridge too. .  It even was a good fit to a new bridge around Southern University. EVENTUALLY.

Like you said this was 2 decades ago. It probably has less traction now than it did then. The population of METRO Baton Rouge has ballooned. Baton Rouge proper has slightly shrunk in population. Much of the growth is across the Mississippi River IE: South and west.
North Baton Rouge (city) is  almost solely a minority area. Two different problems present there. The local interests may not want a freeway and the racists may not want to spend money there.

I said it was needed, I certainly didn't say it would be built or even significantly supported.

Yep, that's a non-starter now.  This map was pre-Katrina, which changed a lot of things.  Many of the areas of Livingston Parish that the roads would have passed through have been built up over the past 20 years, as the population of the parish is up over 50 percent since 2000.

Too many subdivisions in the way of the proposed north loop in Central and Livingston now.

The north loop would have worked as a truck bypass 15 years ago, but too late now.

The same is true of any potential southern bypass. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago.

Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on September 14, 2023, 07:50:10 PM
Too many subdivisions in the way of the proposed north loop in Central and Livingston now.

The north loop would have worked as a truck bypass 15 years ago, but too late now.

The same is true of any potential southern bypass. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago.

It is not dissimilar to the situation in Collin & Denton Counties  in Texas. It might be difficult, but is is clearly something that can be done.

In that case, I have this from 2015...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4218/35551368326_c56f5c88fb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Way4dj)

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 15, 2023, 11:07:42 PM
In that case, I have this from 2015...

Still using the Long (US-190)Bridge.

Quote from: bwana39 on September 16, 2023, 12:23:07 PM

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 15, 2023, 11:07:42 PM
In that case, I have this from 2015...

Still using the Long (US-190)Bridge.

Their problem.
Also goes to show everyone how much NO ONE wants to sacrifice for something everybody knows they need.

Just upgrade all of Airline Highway from west of LA 415 down to Jefferson Highway, convert the I-12 interchange to fully directional, convert the other interchanges (Scenic Highway, Plank Road, Greenwell Springs Road, and Florida Blvd) to DDI's, and build a true south freeway bypass. Problem solved.

They can use the conversion of NOLA's Huey P. Long bridge as a template for the US 190 bridge.

There is NO WAY they will accept driving an Interstate anywhere north of Southern University; Scott's Bluff is protected land, and the only feasible route that cuts through the oxbow north of current US 190 would divide the neighborhood north of the SUBR campus.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on September 16, 2023, 07:07:16 PM
Just upgrade all of Airline Highway from west of LA 415 down to Jefferson Highway, convert the I-12 interchange to fully directional, convert the other interchanges (Scenic Highway, Plank Road, Greenwell Springs Road, and Florida Blvd) to DDI's, and build a true south freeway bypass. Problem solved.

They can use the conversion of NOLA's Huey P. Long bridge as a template for the US 190 bridge.

There is NO WAY they will accept driving an Interstate anywhere north of Southern University; Scott's Bluff is protected land, and the only feasible route that cuts through the oxbow north of current US 190 would divide the neighborhood north of the SUBR campus.

I don't disagree with some of this, but wasn't the original plan to have Airline upgraded to I-410?  Seems like I remember from my childhood seeing maps with proposed I-410 along Airline.  The other big issue is the railroad underpasses at the east end of the bridge -- the eastbound clearance is only 13'6" )westbound is 14'6" if I remember right) and it is barely wide enough for 2 lanes.  Something entirely different would have to be done with that.

Quote from: rlb2024 on September 17, 2023, 12:18:56 AM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on September 16, 2023, 07:07:16 PM
Just upgrade all of Airline Highway from west of LA 415 down to Jefferson Highway, convert the I-12 interchange to fully directional, convert the other interchanges (Scenic Highway, Plank Road, Greenwell Springs Road, and Florida Blvd) to DDI's, and build a true south freeway bypass. Problem solved.

They can use the conversion of NOLA's Huey P. Long bridge as a template for the US 190 bridge.

There is NO WAY they will accept driving an Interstate anywhere north of Southern University; Scott's Bluff is protected land, and the only feasible route that cuts through the oxbow north of current US 190 would divide the neighborhood north of the SUBR campus.

I don't disagree with some of this, but wasn't the original plan to have Airline upgraded to I-410?  Seems like I remember from my childhood seeing maps with proposed I-410 along Airline.  The other big issue is the railroad underpasses at the east end of the bridge -- the eastbound clearance is only 13'6" )westbound is 14'6" if I remember right) and it is barely wide enough for 2 lanes.  Something entirely different would have to be done with that.

IIRC, the I-410 proposal would have used only the section of Airline Highway between LA 1 and I-110, using the current Mississippi River bridge with few upgrades. One of the main reasons 410 was ultimately rejected was that it would have been too expensive to upgrade the bridge to meet Interstate design standards. Also, upgrading LA 1 through Port Allen would have been tricky.

It may be more feasible to build a new dedicated road bridge parallel to the BTR Huey, and elevate it above the CNIC railroad overpasses all the way to Scenic Highway, while leaving the old bridge for rail, local traffic, and alternative bike/walking. It would have to be on the north side of the existing bridge in order to avoid the railroad approaches.




moto g power (2022)

Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on September 14, 2023, 07:50:10 PM
Too many subdivisions in the way of the proposed north loop in Central and Livingston now.

The north loop would have worked as a truck bypass 15 years ago, but too late now.

The same is true of any potential southern bypass. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago.

A southern bypass is far more possible than a northern one. There is still plenty of vacant land for a freeway to pass through that would require minimal right of way acquisition. A northern bypass is imply a non-starter due to the level of development along all potential paths and the opposition of the neighboring parishes.

The fact is, something has to be done. Traffic is too bad and the route is too important to allow the current situation to continue as it is indefinitely.

Are there any proposals to build a southern bypass of Baton Rouge, or has it only been suggested here on the forum? If it is the latter, it may be a long time for such a bypass to come to fruition, if it happens at all.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 22, 2023, 10:53:19 AM
Are there any proposals to build a southern bypass of Baton Rouge, or has it only been suggested here on the forum? If it is the latter, it may be a long time for such a bypass to come to fruition, if it happens at all.

There have been discussions for years around Louisiana, but nothing firm has come out of them.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 22, 2023, 10:53:19 AM
Are there any proposals to build a southern bypass of Baton Rouge, or has it only been suggested here on the forum? If it is the latter, it may be a long time for such a bypass to come to fruition, if it happens at all.

Go back to page 1 of this thread.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 22, 2023, 10:53:19 AM
Are there any proposals to build a southern bypass of Baton Rouge, or has it only been suggested here on the forum? If it is the latter, it may be a long time for such a bypass to come to fruition, if it happens at all.

This is the answer to your question without having to read every post.

There are no proposals to build a bypass per se. There is a proposal to build a bridge somewhere between the current I-10 crossing and the the LA-70 "Sunshine" Bridge.  It would be either in Eastern Iberville Parish near Plaquemine or up toward Brusly leading to East Baton Rouge Parish. Both would be south of Baton Rouge proper.  The consultants are suggesting that  a bridge primarily for local traffic be built. The gist of the traffic flow would SEEM to be Sunshine to Baton Rouge as opposed to Sunshine to Geismer. 

At least initially, said bridge would connect to LA-30 on the eastbank and LA-1 on the west bank. Just like the discussion of the north side of Baton Rouge, expanding LA-1 to freeway would be difficult due to buildup. You should expect nothing better than a 4-6 lane divided highway with traffic signals and grade crossings or less.  DOTD suggests that down the line it MIGHT be possible to link freeways on both ends.

What this will amount to is a replacement / upgrade of the Plaquemine Ferry crossing (whether at Plaquemine or not.) There MAY be a significant financial incentive to replace the ferry. As I understand it, USACOE incentives possibly could be used to pay the state's share of the cost. In my digging, it seems that was part of the reason for the LA-10 bridge to nowhere.  Unquestionably, the Corps wants rid of the ferries.

I will add one more thing while an I-10 direct to Brusly connection looks nice on a map. Bayou Grosse Tête / Port Allen Lock IWW Canal is a connection from the Mississippi river to the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway. It would require a high crossing.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=31267.msg2724395#msg2724395

Quote from: bwana39 on September 23, 2023, 09:01:47 AM

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 22, 2023, 10:53:19 AM
Are there any proposals to build a southern bypass of Baton Rouge, or has it only been suggested here on the forum? If it is the latter, it may be a long time for such a bypass to come to fruition, if it happens at all.

This is the answer to your question without having to read every post.

There are no proposals to build a bypass per se. There is a proposal to build a bridge somewhere between the current I-10 crossing and the the LA-70 "Sunshine" Bridge.  It would be either in Eastern Iberville Parish near Plaquemine or up toward Brusly leading to East Baton Rouge Parish. Both would be south of Baton Rouge proper.  The consultants are suggesting that  a bridge primarily for local traffic be built. The gist of the traffic flow would SEEM to be Sunshine to Baton Rouge as opposed to Sunshine to Geismer. 

At least initially, said bridge would connect to LA-30 on the eastbank and LA-1 on the west bank. Just like the discussion of the north side of Baton Rouge, expanding LA-1 to freeway would be difficult due to buildup. You should expect nothing better than a 4-6 lane divided highway with traffic signals and grade crossings or less.  DOTD suggests that down the line it MIGHT be possible to link freeways on both ends.

What this will amount to is a replacement / upgrade of the Plaquemine Ferry crossing (whether at Plaquemine or not.) There MAY be a significant financial incentive to replace the ferry. As I understand it, USACOE incentives possibly could be used to pay the state's share of the cost. In my digging, it seems that was part of the reason for the LA-10 bridge to nowhere.  Unquestionably, the Corps wants rid of the ferries.

I will add one more thing while an I-10 direct to Brusly connection looks nice on a map. Bayou Grosse Tête / Port Allen Lock IWW Canal is a connection from the Mississippi river to the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway. It would require a high crossing.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=31267.msg2724395#msg2724395

IIRC, the LADOTD has eliminated the Addis-Brusly crossing from consideration and is now pushing for a crossing just south of Plaquemine to near Gardere Lane. It would still just be arterial rather than freeway standard, and there would be no improvements to any other roadways. Other than a back door entry to LSU for football games, I fail to see the utility or the benefits.

Outside of a full freeway south bypass, there are only two other feasible options for resolving I-10/I-12 through traffic in BTR, the current construction on I-10 notwithstanding:

1) A twin span of the I-10 Mississippi River bridge tying into a double-decked "High Pass" segment between the 10/110 and 10/12 splits. Not happening because prohibitively expensive and extremely disruptive.

2) Upgrading Airline Highway (US 190/US 61) to freeway standards from west of Lobdell across the old 190 Mississippi River bridge down to south of the Airline/I-12 interchange, with connectors at either end to I-10. Main difficulties would be retrofitting a proper Interstate-grade bridge out of the old bridge, which also carries a single Union Pacific-CPKC rail line, and squeezing a 6-lane freeway with continuous access roads into the Airline Highway ROW.

Either that, or expidite finishing I-49 South from Lafayette to NOLA and make that the defacto "BTR bypass".


moto g power (2022)

Quote from: Anthony_JK on December 29, 2023, 12:07:57 AM



Either that, or expedite finishing I-49 South from Lafayette to NOLA and make that the defacto "BTR bypass".


moto g power (2022)

Yeah, but then all  the traffic would have to go THROUGH New Orleans.

Quote from: bwana39 on December 29, 2023, 11:52:54 AM

Quote from: Anthony_JK on December 29, 2023, 12:07:57 AM



Either that, or expedite finishing I-49 South from Lafayette to NOLA and make that the defacto "BTR bypass".


moto g power (2022)

Yeah, but then all  the traffic would have to go THROUGH New Orleans.

And it's 18 miles longer and currently 30 minutes longer on US-90, although I'm sure the current at grade intersections and reduced speed limit are a great majority of that time differential.

Nothing new, just a local perspective...

https://brac.org/bridge/

https://www.nola.com/news/politics/new-mississippi-river-bridge-a-priority-for-gov--elect-jeff-landry/article_8d57c5fe-987d-11ee-87e8-a37e84624ad8.html

Quote from: bwana39 on January 21, 2024, 09:06:04 AM
Nothing new, just a local perspective...

https://brac.org/bridge/

In light of earlier thread comments, it's worth noting that the BRAC page specifically mentions that both LA 30 and LA 1 are slated for capacity enhancements to facilitate greater traffic flow.

Quote from: froggie on January 24, 2024, 04:32:41 PM

Quote from: bwana39 on January 21, 2024, 09:06:04 AM
Nothing new, just a local perspective...

https://brac.org/bridge/ (https://brac.org/bridge/)

In light of earlier thread comments, it's worth noting that the BRAC page specifically mentions that both LA 30 and LA 1 are slated for capacity enhancements to facilitate greater traffic flow.

Unless they plan on upgrading LA 1 through Plaquemine and Addis to freeway or expressway standards and widening LA 30 through LSU, I want to see what kind of "capacity improvements" they plan. Why not just build a real tollway loop from west of Lobdell to south of Gardere to connect I-10?

The last time they talked about building a freeway loop, the idea was shot down because surrounding parishes didn't want it.

If there wasn't so much development surrounding it, maybe the existing US 61/US 190 Airline Hwy. could have been upgraded to freeway standards.

Quote from: The Road Warrior on February 06, 2024, 10:28:07 AM
The last time they talked about building a freeway loop, the idea was shot down because surrounding parishes didn't want it.

The other parishes didn't want it because they wanted to remain rural agricultural parishes. I think that ship has sailed at least in Ascension,  West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes. Baton rouge will eventually supplant New Orleans as the largest metro area in LA even without the ongoing effects of global warming.

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on February 06, 2024, 12:21:58 PM
If there wasn't so much development surrounding it, maybe the existing US 61/US 190 Airline Hwy. could have been upgraded to freeway standards.

Average ROW is about 200ft between I-110 and I-10, so it could be done but it would have to be a 6 lane max. For reference, I-10 + frontage roads is only 200ft just north of Beaumont (after it curves East from the US96 split)

While it's mathematically possible to squeeze a 6-lane freeway and a pair of 2-lane frontage roads into a 200' wide footprint, the ROW requirements flare out quite a bit when exit ramps have to be incorporated into the design.