The state name is supposed to be brought back to Interstate shields in the state. Any guide sign related replacements will likely feature Clearview, as LADOTD is now using that type-face.
In Louisiana part of AASHTO presentation in Little Rock today, Sherri Lebas sets forth LADOTD's "high priority wish list" (with no apparent priority of importance)(http://expandingcapacity.transportation.org/unlocking_freight/states/LA_Unlocking_Freight_0610.pdf)
for the next reauthorization bill:
- Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
- Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
- I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
- I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
- I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
- I-12 from Walker to Slidell
- I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
I have not driven enough of these routes to have an informed opinion, but I just wanted to ask those who have to provide a ranking of priority of importance. There has already been a similar, smaller in scale, discussion at Replies 5-21 on "I-49 in LA" thread (particularly good discussion re I-49 vs. maintenance of existing interstates), (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3124.0) but I thought broader question seems more appropriate for this thread.
So...what does that mean for discussions of I-49 South, then??
It mostly runs in Southeast/South Central Lousisana, but it is mostly on the West side of the Mississippi. So...where should the relevant posts go?? Just clarifying things. :confused: :confused:
Anthony
Any guide sign related replacements will likely feature Clearview, as LADOTD is now using that type-face.
Although not designed to be as dramatic as its Louisiana cousin, the Leesville Roundabout (US 171/ LA 8/28) construction is scheduled to begin in October. LADOTD has a page devoted to the Leesville Roundabout project (with videos, etc.):U.S. 61 and Causeway Boulevard, one of my all time favorite interchanges(http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/10/16/2145144/NO2.jpg)
The amounts are much greater for Districts 61 & 62, which I assume are splinters of a former District 6 covering the New Orleans area and would therefore have a considerable amount of urban mileage with closely spaced exits.
Finishing I-49 NORTH: #1 priority
I-10 to I-12/MS River: #2
I-12 Walker-Slidell: #3
I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport: #4
The rest I can't rank because I've never driven there.
I noticed that there are many resigning projects currently scheduled to be let in October re Interstates 10, 20, 49 and 220.Interstate signage upgrade projects for District 02 (I-10, 310, 510 & 610) and District 03 were let today:
Any guide sign related replacements will likely feature Clearview, as LADOTD is now using that type-face.
I think that clearview is a district wide thing since it's only showing up in one area. They've been replacing signs around New Orleans lately and none of them are in clearview.
Oh yay. :meh: I'm so looking forward to seeing that when I go down there in May. I'm not a clearview fan. X-(
Oh yay. :meh: I'm so looking forward to seeing that when I go down there in May. I'm not a clearview fan. X-(
in better news, you can check on a brand new state-named I-10 shield in the town of Iowa!
Other than the fact that Iowa and Slidell are as close to one another as San Diego and Los Angeles are to one another.
Other than the fact that Iowa and Slidell are as close to one another as San Diego and Los Angeles are to one another.
I'd drive 130 miles out of my way and 130 miles back to check on a state-named shield.
Suit yourself.
A couple of years ago, I found a non-neutered, fairly new I-20 shield in Shreveport at the Linwood Ave. exit. It was pointing the way to I-20 westbound to traffic travelling south on Linwood Ave. (at least I think it was Linwood. May have been Fairfield Ave.) :confused:
I'd drive 130 miles out of my way and 130 miles back to check on a state-named shield.
737-94-0072 INTERSTATE SIGNAGE UPGRADE DISTRICT 04
UPGRADE INTERSTATE SIGNAGE AND RELATED WORK
Parish(es): District 04
Route(s): I-20 and I-49
Federal: 9410(502)
Estimated Construction Cost: $589,560.00
Apparent Low Bidder: Acacia Industries, LLC
10324 MEADOWVIEW DRIVE
KEITHVILLE,, LA 71047
Phone: (318)470-1917 $348,388.08
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
737-96-0087 (DBE Goal Project) DISTRICT 61 - INTERSTATE SIGNAGE UPGRADE
TRAFFIC SIGNS AND RELATED WORK.
Parish(es): District 61
Route(s): I-10, I-12 & I-110
Federal: 9610(500)
Estimated Construction Cost: $1,727,870.00
Apparent Low Bidder: Ozark Striping Co. Inc
PO BOX 847
OZARK, AL 36361
Phone: (334)774-2138 $1,059,959.64
Seems that there's been some rural four-laning, such as the entire length of US 171. Does LA have a general plan or are they just widening roads as traffic demands?Here's a link to an overview of the TIMED program:
Police Jury Administrator Bill Altimus announced Wednesday the jury reached an agreement with the federal government for the southward expansion of the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway ... “The southern extension of Arthur Ray Teague Parkway (ARTP) is the highest priority to this parish. That is absolutely terrific news,” Altimus said ...
Prior to Altimus’ announcement, southward extension of ARTP remained at a stand still while the federal government decided whether to approve a land swap involving an area of protected wetlands ...“We were informed today by Ben Shultz with Congressman Fleming’s office that the federal fish and wildlife agency has signed off on the land swap,” Altimus said ... Since 2004, the parish officials worked to extend ARTP south with the hopes of relieving traffic congestion by constructing a parkway for seamless traffic flow from south Bossier to the Benton Road ... Bossier Parish Engineer Butch Ford said the parish now seeks to extend ARTP much further than its original stopping point at Caplis-Sligo Road ... Last month, the jury approved a contract with Denmen Engineering to create two designs to extend ARTP all the way to the future site of Interstate 69 ... “The portion we are looking at first will go underneath I-69, that’s why we are looking at that – to try to give people coming into south Bossier into Bossier City and alternate route.
Construction of the long-awaited southern extension of Arthur Ray Teague Parkway is under way, Bossier Parish officials say.
The $7.4 million project will extend the parkway from its current terminus at the Bossier City limits and curve behind Plantation Trace subdivision before crossing Red River Wildlife Refuge to connect with Sligo Road.
Officials spent more than six years on a land swap agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire a portion of the refuge for the extension. The process required them to purchase adjacent property to the refuge to swap, two acts of Congress to alter the refuge's boundaries and countless meetings between parish and federal officials.
The Bossier Police Jury and its staff "jumped through a lot of hoops over the last couple of years to get to this point," Parish Administrator Bill Altimus said. "We are extremely pleased that this project has started along with, I am sure, all of the folks who travel this area daily."
Once completed, he said, the project should enhance moving around south Bossier.
"The parkway is the future for south Bossier," said newly elected District 1 Police Juror Bob Brotherton, whose district encompasses far south Bossier.
If the parkway continues farther to Taylortown, as the Police jury is considering, the roadway might connect with other transportation venues such as the proposed Interstate 69 corridor or even a bridge across Red River into the Port of Shreveport-Bossier, he said. "Wherever transportation (corridors) are, there is business. "» We have to look down the road. Ten years from now, this is going to be very important to south Bossier. It's just going to be a magnet for growth."
In April, police jurors hired Denmon Engineering to survey and study further extending the parkway south. Results of the $160,000 study are expected to be released in late December or early January, Altimus said.
Construction of the ongoing extension to Sligo Road is expected to take 15 to 18 months, meaning completion in 2013, according to parish engineer Butch Ford.
...there are four significant highway construction projects important for our region. It is important for us to prioritize these projects and then work to secure funding to complete them. As we have done in the past, we will survey our members and ask for their input to help prioritize these four projects: extending La. Highway 3132 to the Port of Shreveport-Bossier, the "Inner City" I-49 connector, a new southern entrance for Barksdale Air Force Base and the widening of the Jimmy Davis Bridge over the Red River.
Work has begun on southward extension of Arthur Ray Teague Parkway to Sligo Road in Bossier Parish, and study regarding possible further southward extension to I-69 corridor should be released in late December to early January:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111128/NEWS01/111280311/Work-Arthur-Ray-Teague-Parkway-extension-begins?odyssey=nav%7CheadQuoteIf the parkway continues farther to Taylortown, as the Police jury is considering, the roadway might connect with other transportation venues such as the proposed Interstate 69 corridor .... In April, police jurors hired Denmon Engineering to survey and study further extending the parkway south. Results of the $160,000 study are expected to be released in late December or early January
South Bossier residents get ready.
As construction continues on the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, parish officials are making plans to extend the road further south to Taylortown.
On Wednesday (March 21), jurors approved a revised corridor to Highway 527, relocating part of the route further east to accommodate concerns brought before them at last month’s public meeting.
Parish engineer Butch Ford said the revision would reduce the cost of the project but could affect more wetlands. A firm cost estimate has not been identified but the parish set aside $2.5 million for right of way acquisition in this year.
Construction of the ongoing extension to Sligo Road is expected to take 15 to 18 months, meaning completion in 2013, according to parish engineer Butch Ford.
Arthur Ray Teague Parkway to Sligo Road, $10 million, extending the parkway from its current terminus at the Bossier City limits behind Plantation Trace subdivision and across a portion of the Red River Wildlife Refuge to connect with Sligo Road. Construction started in November and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Bossier City is one of the fastest growing cities in Louisiana. Most of the growth and development was on the northern end on Airline Drive at I-220, but the southern side of the city is starting to do the same. That area will boom soon and that parkway will be a great thing. Just Barksdale Blvd/US 71 as the only north south highway until ART Parkway was built
the extension to Sligo Road should be completed by the end of this year:QuoteArthur Ray Teague Parkway to Sligo Road, $10 million, extending the parkway from its current terminus at the Bossier City limits behind Plantation Trace subdivision and across a portion of the Red River Wildlife Refuge to connect with Sligo Road. Construction started in November and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
There's light at the end of the tunnel for residents who have been looking forward to the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway extension in southern Bossier City.
Crews are set to begin paving the first 1/2 mile section of the Sligo Road Extension in the next couple of weeks.
"This is the terminus of the city project and it goes south and it'll end at U.S. 71," explains Bruce Easterly, Bossier Parish Engineer.
Easterly says the $8 million project to extend the thoroughfare to Sligo Road near Parkway High School is ahead of schedule.
"There's another 2 1/2 miles that has to be prepared and the base constructed and everything ready."
He adds the extension will help lessen the traffic congestion along Barksdale Boulevard, as well as ease the headache of navigating through this busy section of south Bossier.
"You can come on and get on the parkway and the Sligo Road Extension and go on up and hit downtown with no traffic lights."
Upon expected completion in January 2013, the extension will curve behind Plantation Trace neighborhood and across the Red River Wilderness Refuge to connect to Sligo Road.
There are currently additional plans to extend the Parkway even further south, to Taylortown near Louisiana Highway 527.
This May 30 TV video report (http://www.ktbs.com/news/Arthur-Ray-Teague-Parkway-extension-on-the-road-to-completion/-/144844/14331242/-/673nevz/-/index.html) has some footage of construction on the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, and still projects completion to Sligo Road in January
Six years in the making, the expanded Arthur Ray Teague Parkway will open Feb. 27 with a ribbon cutting at Colleen Drive near Parkway High School at 10 a.m. .... The original dream was to extend the parkway south to Sligo Road, but now the jury sees a need to keep expanding the parkway south to the proposed intersection of I-69 near Taylortown.
“When you think long term about the unbelievable amount of people that come out of Red River and Webster Parish into Bossier, and when you look at all the options to move traffic in that area being able to come through and extend the parkway as it was intended, it's going to be great benefit to the parish and city,” said Altimus.
Potential hurdles include buying right of way, ability to perform the extension, and even the Haynesville Shale ....
.... Bossier Parish intends to spend $1.5 million this year to acquire the rights of way for another parkway extension, this one to reach what they believe will be the new Interstate 69 corridor. And to complete that five miles of road, Ford said, his team will be looking at the experience of finishing Bossier City’s newest three miles ....
Priority in my Opinion
1 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
2 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
3 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
4 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
5 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
6 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
7 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
Most Realistic to Happen
1 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
2 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
3 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
4 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
5 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
6 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
7 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
Priority in my Opinion
1 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
2 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
3 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
4 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
5 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
6 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
7 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
Most Realistic to Happen
1 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
2 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
3 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
4 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
5 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
6 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
7 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
I-49 North is almost finished (save for the Inner City Connector segment through downtown Shereveport); I-10 through Baton Rouge is simply a pipe dream since the Perkins Road neighborhoods oppose any widening of the existing route; and I-10 between LCH and the TX border is essentially finished save for the upgraded Calcasieu River bridge (and I-210 buys time there).
My list of priorities:
1) I-49 South from Lafayette to Morgan City (including I-49 Connector through Lafayette)
2) I-49 Inner City Connector in Shereveport
3) I-20 widening in Shreveport and Monroe
4) I-10 widening in Lafayette
5) South Bypass Loop OR LA 1/Sunshine Bridge/LA 70 Toll Bypass around BTR/Plaquemine/Donaldsonville
6) I-12 widening Satsuma to I-10/I-59 interchange in Slidell
7) I-49 South Raceland to I-310 segment w/ temp. tie-in to I-10 via I-310
8) Complete Westbank Expressway upgrade to US 90
9) I-10 widening I-310 to Causeway Blvd. (w/ directional connectors to NOLA Louie Armstrong International Airport from/to W I-10)
Priority in my Opinion
1 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
2 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
3 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
4 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
5 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
6 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
7 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
Most Realistic to Happen
1 Extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas Border
2 I-12 from Walker to Slidell
3 I-10 from Texas border to Lake Charles
4 I-20 in Monroe and Shreveport
5 I-10 in New Orleans (Williams Boulevard to Causeway Boulevard)
6 Extend I-49 south of Lafayette to New Orleans
7 I-10 in Baton Rouge (Mississippi River Bridge to the I 10/12 split)
I-49 North is almost finished (save for the Inner City Connector segment through downtown Shereveport); I-10 through Baton Rouge is simply a pipe dream since the Perkins Road neighborhoods oppose any widening of the existing route; and I-10 between LCH and the TX border is essentially finished save for the upgraded Calcasieu River bridge (and I-210 buys time there).
My list of priorities:
1) I-49 South from Lafayette to Morgan City (including I-49 Connector through Lafayette)
2) I-49 Inner City Connector in Shereveport
3) I-20 widening in Shreveport and Monroe
4) I-10 widening in Lafayette
5) South Bypass Loop OR LA 1/Sunshine Bridge/LA 70 Toll Bypass around BTR/Plaquemine/Donaldsonville
6) I-12 widening Satsuma to I-10/I-59 interchange in Slidell
7) I-49 South Raceland to I-310 segment w/ temp. tie-in to I-10 via I-310
8) Complete Westbank Expressway upgrade to US 90
9) I-10 widening I-310 to Causeway Blvd. (w/ directional connectors to NOLA Louie Armstrong International Airport from/to W I-10)
Just wondering, why is finishing I-49 south is such a major priority in your opinion?
2. A direct freeway to the Port of New Orleans.From where? Morgan City?
How do you rank these in terms of having a shot to be completed?
I-10 thru Baton Rouge have to be the most head scratching segment of Louisiana's interstates. I agree with you, I dont know how you solve this problem.
Just wondering, why is finishing I-49 south is such a major priority in your opinion?
2. A direct freeway to the Port of New Orleans.From where? Morgan City?
2. A direct freeway to the Port of New Orleans.From where? Morgan City?
Yep, if they build it, you'd have a freeway from the CCC along the Westbank Expy to Morgan City to Lafayette.
2. A direct freeway to the Port of New Orleans.From where? Morgan City?
Yep, if they build it, you'd have a freeway from the CCC along the Westbank Expy to Morgan City to Lafayette.
Lafayette already has a more direct freeway (check the distances). Only intermediate locations would gain freeway access.
An upgraded US 90/I-49 South would greatly reduce the distance between Lafayette and NOLAPure bullshit. You can argue that it will avoid traffic, etc., but I-49 (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Lafayette,+LA&daddr=29.912563,-90.2458949+to:New+Orleans,+LA&hl=en&sll=30.201615,-91.045663&sspn=1.08242,2.113495&geocode=FdouzQEdfeOD-imb2MVkQ5wkhjET__eSJHVKyQ%3BFfNtyAEd-vSe-ilfnm3RE7kghjG5WWtiUv4u1w%3BFVoEyQEdFJ6h-illghGyVKQghjG00yJe6FsG2w&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&t=m&z=10) will be longer than I-10 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=from:+Lafayette,+LA+to:+New+Orleans,+LA&saddr=Lafayette,+LA&daddr=New+Orleans,+LA&hl=en&sll=30.247205,-91.707001&sspn=0.540966,1.056747&geocode=FdouzQEdfeOD-imb2MVkQ5wkhjET__eSJHVKyQ%3BFVoEyQEdFJ6h-illghGyVKQghjG00yJe6FsG2w&gl=us&t=m&z=10) (by 17 miles per the Goog).
An upgraded US 90/I-49 South would greatly reduce the distance between Lafayette and NOLAPure bullshit. You can argue that it will avoid traffic, etc., but I-49 (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Lafayette,+LA&daddr=29.912563,-90.2458949+to:New+Orleans,+LA&hl=en&sll=30.201615,-91.045663&sspn=1.08242,2.113495&geocode=FdouzQEdfeOD-imb2MVkQ5wkhjET__eSJHVKyQ%3BFfNtyAEd-vSe-ilfnm3RE7kghjG5WWtiUv4u1w%3BFVoEyQEdFJ6h-illghGyVKQghjG00yJe6FsG2w&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&t=m&z=10) will be longer than I-10 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=from:+Lafayette,+LA+to:+New+Orleans,+LA&saddr=Lafayette,+LA&daddr=New+Orleans,+LA&hl=en&sll=30.247205,-91.707001&sspn=0.540966,1.056747&geocode=FdouzQEdfeOD-imb2MVkQ5wkhjET__eSJHVKyQ%3BFVoEyQEdFJ6h-illghGyVKQghjG00yJe6FsG2w&gl=us&t=m&z=10) (by 17 miles per the Goog).
I saw a LA 1258 shield in alexandria today. Are they still adding state routes? Because ive never seen this one before. Its on old boyce rd turning south from air base rd at I-49. No jct signs from air base rd (la 498) and I didn't folkow it any further as I was just stopping for gas to make it home to Pineville.
I saw a LA 1258 shield in alexandria today. Are they still adding state routes? Because ive never seen this one before. Its on old boyce rd turning south from air base rd at I-49. No jct signs from air base rd (la 498) and I didn't folkow it any further as I was just stopping for gas to make it home to Pineville.
I checked this out. LA 1258 seems to be about .25 miles long. There is a DOTD "End Maintenance" sign where the road enters the wooded residential area past the hotel. This route must have been added in the past year.
Proposed improvements to be investigated include:
• Designing the proposed bridge structure to accommodate 3 travel lanes and 1 auxiliary lane, with inside and outside shoulders and potential frontage roads in each direction
• Lowering the height of the bridge
• Reducing the existing 420 foot truss span of the bridge to 2 main spans
• Beyond the bridge limits, reconstructing the I-10 mainlanes to accommodate 3 travel lanes in each direction to match the existing typical sections of I-10 outside the proposed project limits
• Redesigning the Sampson Street interchange including review of crossings with existing railroads
• Redesigning the access to and from I-10 on the west side of the bridge between Sampson Street and PPG Drive and near the east end of the bridge
• Consideration of frontage roads from PPG Drive to US 90 East
The regional divisions on this forum are poorly designated. States should never be cut in two. Texas should have its own region. The entire South should be one region, as should be the Midwest.
This Shreveport Times article (http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130304/NEWS01/130302002/Lessons-from-Teague-Parkway) includes a video of a drive on the ARTP extension:Quote.... Bossier Parish intends to spend $1.5 million this year to acquire the rights of way for another parkway extension, this one to reach what they believe will be the new Interstate 69 corridor. And to complete that five miles of road, Ford said, his team will be looking at the experience of finishing Bossier City’s newest three miles ....
Bossier Parish Administrator Bill Altimus ....
They will also begin planning for the Arthur Ray Teague extension to Hwy. 527. Residents can expect the start right of way platting, and maybe more.
“Depending on how budgets go, we may be purchasing right of way late next year. But we have to get it platted so we know how much we need,” said Altimus ....
Other projects in 2014 include ... securing a record of decision on Segment of Independence 15 for I-69...
This article (http://bossierpress.com/2013/12/27/bossier-city-parish-look-ahead-to-2014/) reports that right of way purchasing for the extension from Sligo Road to LA 527 (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Taylortown,+LA&hl=en&ll=32.404458,-93.622913&spn=0.117684,0.154324&sll=33.767713,-84.420604&sspn=0.463494,0.617294&oq=taylortown&t=h&hnear=Taylortown,+Bossier,+Louisiana&z=13) may begin in late 2014
Efforts to ensure Arthur Ray Teague Parkway’s connection to the future Interstate 69 have hit a roadblock.
Sales tax revenues for Bossier Parish in 2012 and 2013 were down a combined $3.6 million, which stalled plans to purchase the right-of-ways for the roadway’s future southern extension from its current terminus to Taylortown. The map detailing the necessary purchases is nearly complete, but there’s no new corridor without money.
“If we had the money, we’d do it today,” said parish engineer Butch Ford. “What we had to go through to extend Arthur Ray Teague — the 10-year process that it took to do all that — we don’t want to get in the same situation on the extension further south.” ....
Many of the landowners with property designated for the corridor are even still under the assumption the parish will purchase their property this year, Ford said. The parish has been in contact with them for months about the project.
“Some of those landowners, they’re not aware yet that we’re not purchasing this right-of-way currently. This has just come to light in the past few months,” Ford said. “They think we’re coming with checks. This story is going to hit them for a loop when they find out the parish revenue have fallen and we’re going to sit tight until we see an uptick in the revenues.”
This is a question concerning Louisiana's big blue service signs (BBSSs): Why doesn't the DOTD utilize the 9-panel signs (my homemade terminology meaning you can put 9 logo signs on one blue sign) in more places than just I-12? The biggest they use here on I-20 is the 6-panel model. I think, in some cases, they end up using more signs at a higher cost than using the 9-panel sign. Any ideas?Good question. Why does the DOTD use blank service signs along exits where no services are even located, but snub the Pineville Expressway (US 71-167-La 28) and include none? I've also noticed a strong lack of service signs inside of Alexandria on I-49, especially with plenty of gas stations and food places, not to mention lodging. Example - I-49's NB exit with US 71N, aka LSUA exit, has service signage. I-49's SB exit with Sugarhouse Road, used to access US 71N, has no service signage.
We are not going away.
That's the message from a group of local mothers, impacted by recent crossover accidents along area interstates and state highways. And they've now taken to Facebook, to garner more support, and to remind the Louisiana DOTD about their promise to install barriers here in northwest Louisiana ....
Kelly Hatfield, an advocate of median cable barriers ....
In a special ceremonial groundbreaking last summer, DOTD told Hatfield and lawmakers at the event that construction would begin on barriers across Bossier and Webster parishes in September. However 5 months later, and there's no sign of work beginning. A very rainy winter, and a hold up on the 80,000 cubic yards of dirt needed to do the work, has been the biggest culprit.
Last summer, The Department of Transportation and Development announced plans to install barriers along I-20 from the Texas state line to Mississippi. The first phase of the project calls for barriers in Bossier and Webster parish. Federal officials suggest any interstate or highway median that is 60 feet or less in width, would be a good candidate for cable barriers. In fact the Federal Highway Administration reports that states with median barriers have seen a decrease in cross-over, head on accidents by 90 percent.
However I-20 is the only highway in north Louisiana destined for barriers. The Terry Bradshaw Passway ... is not on that list.
DOTD spokesperson Susan Stafford says all highways and interstates are evaluated for traffic volume and the number of crossover accidents. She says the Terry Bradshaw Passway has not had the same volume of accidents like I-20. However KSLA News 12 records show there were 4 documented cross over accidents in 2013 alone.
Worth noting, the brand new stretch of I-49 being built in north Caddo Parish does not include cable barriers. However the median there is much larger, 90 feet across, well in excess of federal guidelines for barriers.
Why does the DOTD use blank service signs along exits where no services are even located, but snub the Pineville Expressway (US 71-167-La 28) and include none? I've also noticed a strong lack of service signs inside of Alexandria on I-49, especially with plenty of gas stations and food places, not to mention lodging. Example - I-49's NB exit with US 71N, aka LSUA exit, has service signage. I-49's SB exit with Sugarhouse Road, used to access US 71N, has no service signage.
I-10 and I-12 have blue service signage in the middle of Baton Rouge. US 167, a full freeway, has no service signage outside of Tioga or at the US 165 exit... there's not many billboards along the Pineville Expressway either. In fact, to top it off, US 165 at US 167 has Wendy's, McDonalds, Sonic, Huddle House, Burger King, Popeyes, Taco Bell, Outlaw's, Ryan's, Pizza Hut, etc... it also has Sleep Inn, Days Inn, Country Inn and Suites, AND you have a Shell, Chevron, Circle K, Murphy USA. All of these national companies would be just as willing to put their names on blue signage as the same places in large cities.Why does the DOTD use blank service signs along exits where no services are even located, but snub the Pineville Expressway (US 71-167-La 28) and include none? I've also noticed a strong lack of service signs inside of Alexandria on I-49, especially with plenty of gas stations and food places, not to mention lodging. Example - I-49's NB exit with US 71N, aka LSUA exit, has service signage. I-49's SB exit with Sugarhouse Road, used to access US 71N, has no service signage.
I don't think they post those signs in urban areas. I can see a few logic points: 1) You're in a city. You can find food, gas and lodging somewhere. 2) If the exits are close together, you could end up putting too many signs in a short distance. 3) That's what billboards are for.
(These logic points apparently don't hold for I-12 coming into Baton Rouge, which has these signs.)
If LA 1258 is in Alexandria, someone needs to notify Google Maps. It found LA 1258 in St. Francisville, and doesn't label Old Boyce Rd as 1258.LA 1258 in St. Francisville is LA 1263. DOTD put up the wrong number for the highway (1263), and it only came to my attention after the highway was added into the Goog.
This Shreveport Times article (http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140114/NEWS01/301140038/Bossier-Parish-has-too-few-dollars-buy-right-way-Teague-parkway-extension) reports that declining sales tax revenues will delay the ... schedule for ROW purchasing:QuoteEfforts to ensure Arthur Ray Teague Parkway’s connection to the future Interstate 69 have hit a roadblock.
Sales tax revenues for Bossier Parish in 2012 and 2013 were down a combined $3.6 million, which stalled plans to purchase the right-of-ways for the roadway’s future southern extension from its current terminus to Taylortown
Also on the police jury to-do list for 2015, acquiring more right-of-way for continued expansion of the Arthur Ray Teague parkway south to Taylortown.
The parish needs an alternate path for a corridor that is constricted by the Red River, a railroad and a two-lane U.S. Hwy 71.
If there is an accident, for instance, there is no alternate route for north-south traffic other than looping east, says Parish Administrator Bill Altimus.
Also, with continued residential development and oil and gas drilling, property isn't going to get any cheaper.
"We can't print enough money,'' to buy a Haynesville Shale well site, said Altimus.
This article (http://www.ksla.com/story/24717519/cable-barirers-5-months-and-waiting) reports a growing impatience with LaDOTD being slow to install cable barriers in NW Louisiana:Quote...and a hold up on the 80,000 cubic yards of dirt needed to do the work...
OK, I'll bite: Why do they need such an ungodly amount of dirt?
Is there anything roads-worthy or tourist-unique between the I-10 and I-20 corridors, besides simply driving I-49? I've looked at Natchitoches and Alexandria and come up empty.
In terms of roads, the O.K. Allen (old) and Fort Buhlow (new) US 71/165bridges over the Red River, and the traffic circle in Alexandria. Nothing too extraordinary.
Is there anything roads-worthy or tourist-unique between the I-10 and I-20 corridors, besides simply driving I-49? I've looked at Natchitoches and Alexandria and come up empty.From personal experience, take US 71 into Clarence, east at Grayson's BBQ (any day but Monday), and then LA 6 to LA 1 Business through the downtown to Front Street. You can go antique shopping, and then take LA 494 along the Cane River and see some old plantations along with riding the original Jefferson Highway for a portion. DO NOT TAKE LA 1220 TO THE RIVER, since you will get stuck along the dirt road, even with some beautiful sections that are lined with oaks and pecan trees.
It's also the only part of the state which will give you every major metro city on a guide sign (Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles).
Ferriday and Natchez (each home of a KFC all you can eat buffet)
Head south on US 71 from the traffic circle, and you will see a sign that says Baton Rouge XX, New Orleans XX. It's slight, but it exists. It isn't a guide sign, but it's right after a guide sign. That counts for something, right?It's also the only part of the state which will give you every major metro city on a guide sign (Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles).
Where in Alexandria can you find New Orleans on a guide sign??Ferriday and Natchez (each home of a KFC all you can eat buffet)
KFC buffets are quite common. If giving portion control the middle finger is your thing, you have to hit the Popeye's buffet in Lafayette, on Pinhook Road at S. College in the Oil Center. (I'm also quite fond of the seafood buffet at Lagneaux's on Ridge Rd.)
I can't link from my phone, but there's a small guide sign just south of the traffic circle in Alexandria on US 71 for Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
I can't link from my phone, but there's a small guide sign just south of the traffic circle in Alexandria on US 71 for Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Here ya go Bassoon & jbnv: https://www.google.com/maps/@31.271897,-92.463985,3a,37.5y,145.97h,80.01t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3s22FhhO9pNLDT1EZaymTQ!2e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/@31.271897,-92.463985,3a,37.5y,145.97h,80.01t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3s22FhhO9pNLDT1EZaymTQ!2e0)
I believe this is an older view because the current sign is much smaller with a much uglier font.
(1) Yes, there was a North Traffic Circle, at the junction of US 71-165 and LA 1, removed and replaced with a stack interchange in the 1990s.
I actually remember that traffic circle before I-49 was built through Alexandria. My question is...because I only remember these traffic circles as a very young child...was there ever a 3rd traffic circle?Not on the 1958 topo. Interestingly, the north circle was a lot smaller (though a larger square was cleared around it), and was initially a three-way intersection before the bypass was added to the southwest.
Here is an update on the O.K. Allen Bridge replacement project in Alexandria. (http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=6982)
The old bridge was closed yesterday, and traffic has been rerouted to the new northbound structure. Preliminary demolition of the old bridge will begin soon.
Here is an update on the O.K. Allen Bridge replacement project in Alexandria. (http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=6982)
The old bridge was closed yesterday, and traffic has been rerouted to the new northbound structure. Preliminary demolition of the old bridge will begin soon.
Bummer :(
Here is an update on the O.K. Allen Bridge replacement project in Alexandria. (http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=6982)
The old bridge was closed yesterday, and traffic has been rerouted to the new northbound structure. Preliminary demolition of the old bridge will begin soon.
Bummer :(
I'll mark that off of the list of things to see for the LA road meet next year. :no: :banghead:
I also faintly remember a traffic circle here in BR. Florida & Airline Hwy.
http://www.ksla.com/story/28852452/south-bossier-bridge-caves-in-over-red-chute-bayou?utm_source=site&utm_medium=meganav&utm_campaign=meganav
So apparently US 371 has a new alignment near it's southern terminus at I-49. I had not seen anything in the news, but it looks like US 371 breaks away from LA 177 to meet US 84 and LA 1 at the Red Riover bridge crossing. This makes a lot more sense and makes it a lot easier to cross the river into Coushatta from the interstate.I see that on Google Maps, but went thru the US 371/LA 1 interchange for the first time in January, so nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It seemed like US 371 was still signed to LA 177, and there are no projects listed to realign the highway. Maybe the parish is upgrading the highway so that they can obtain LA 177 (although that would be very weird), but no record of a realignment is on LA DOTD's website.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0012552,-93.4015931,13z
So apparently US 371 has a new alignment near it's southern terminus at I-49. I had not seen anything in the news, but it looks like US 371 breaks away from LA 177 to meet US 84 and LA 1 at the Red Riover bridge crossing. This makes a lot more sense and makes it a lot easier to cross the river into Coushatta from the interstate.I see that on Google Maps, but went thru the US 371/LA 1 interchange for the first time in January, so nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It seemed like US 371 was still signed to LA 177, and there are no projects listed to realign the highway. Maybe the parish is upgrading the highway so that they can obtain LA 177 (although that would be very weird), but no record of a realignment is on LA DOTD's website.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0012552,-93.4015931,13z
So apparently US 371 has a new alignment near it's southern terminus at I-49. I had not seen anything in the news, but it looks like US 371 breaks away from LA 177 to meet US 84 and LA 1 at the Red Riover bridge crossing. This makes a lot more sense and makes it a lot easier to cross the river into Coushatta from the interstate.I see that on Google Maps, but went thru the US 371/LA 1 interchange for the first time in January, so nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It seemed like US 371 was still signed to LA 177, and there are no projects listed to realign the highway. Maybe the parish is upgrading the highway so that they can obtain LA 177 (although that would be very weird), but no record of a realignment is on LA DOTD's website.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0012552,-93.4015931,13z
US 371 & LA 177 are co-signed on I-49's BGSs. I drove on LA 1 last month from Shreveport to Natchitoches and it does join US 84 and crosses the river there.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.958991,-93.445215,3a,37.5y,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sAva9dQwXD5Q_jfANMcDM7Q!2e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/@31.958991,-93.445215,3a,37.5y,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sAva9dQwXD5Q_jfANMcDM7Q!2e0)
This Shreveport Times article (http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140114/NEWS01/301140038/Bossier-Parish-has-too-few-dollars-buy-right-way-Teague-parkway-extension) reports that declining sales tax revenues will delay the ... schedule for ROW purchasing:QuoteEfforts to ensure Arthur Ray Teague Parkway’s connection to the future Interstate 69 have hit a roadblock.
Sales tax revenues for Bossier Parish in 2012 and 2013 were down a combined $3.6 million, which stalled plans to purchase the right-of-ways for the roadway’s future southern extension from its current terminus to Taylortown
This Dec. 8, 2014 video (http://www.ktbs.com/story/27579460/bossier-parish-officials-plan-several-road-improvement-projects-in-2015) .... briefly mentions that ROW acquisition for the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway southern extension to Taylortown and the I-69 Corridor should resume in 2015:QuoteAlso on the police jury to-do list for 2015, acquiring more right-of-way for continued expansion of the Arthur Ray Teague parkway south to Taylortown.
The parish needs an alternate path for a corridor that is constricted by the Red River, a railroad and a two-lane U.S. Hwy 71.
Folks who live in Bossier Parish Police Jury District 5 will want to spend some time talking with Juror Jack Skaggs about his first four years on the Jury, and reasons he’s committed to continue serving the district over the next Jury term ....
Skaggs detailed Jury accomplishments over the last four years, starting with the southern extension of the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, where it presently ends near Parkway High School.
“…Trying to be progressive, we’ve approached going ahead and buying the right-of-way down to Taylortown …as we know, real estate keeps going up and if we can find the funding to buy a couple of acres that way, we’ll continue to do that,” he said.
Here is an update on the O.K. Allen Bridge replacement project in Alexandria. (http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=6982)Was demolished yesterday :(
The old bridge was closed yesterday, and traffic has been rerouted to the new northbound structure. Preliminary demolition of the old bridge will begin soon.
Article (http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2015/07/01/still-loop/29588975/) in yesterday's Daily Advertiser about new efforts to revive the idea of a loop tollway around Lafayette to accompany the I-49 South/I-49 Lafayette Connector corridor:
And, how exactly do you upgrade two-lane roads to tollway standards for this "smart roads" scheme? And what roads would you use? US 167 from Maurice to Abbeville? LA 14 from Abbeville to New Iberia? LA 31 through St. Martinville?? US 190 through Opelousas?? Really???
Personally, I'd simply concentrate on the SW perimeter of the LRX between I-10 near Scott and US 90/Future I-49 just north of New Iberia. That would make for a convenient shortcut for traffic wanting to escape the madness of Baton Rouge going to NOLA. Plus, if you wanted create a southern I-10 or I-6 combining that portion of the LRX and the majority of I-49 South to NOLA, that would do the job....and you could still keep I-49 for the remaining portions through Broussard and Lafayette.
And, how exactly do you upgrade two-lane roads to tollway standards for this "smart roads" scheme? And what roads would you use? US 167 from Maurice to Abbeville? LA 14 from Abbeville to New Iberia? LA 31 through St. Martinville?? US 190 through Opelousas?? Really???
I spent some time trying to figure out what they are talking about. The only thing that makes sense, as a bypass loop around Lafayette, is a tollway that does this: Branch off of I-10 just east of Crowley. Bypass Crowley to the east. Pick up LA 13 south of Crowley and follow it to just north of Kaplan. Leave LA 13 and veer east, bypassing Kaplan. Pick up LA 14 east of Kaplan, and follow it to New Iberia, making use of bypasses around Abbeville and Erath and bypassing or bisecting Delcambre.
Now, as you know, Louisiana does not have a tradition of building new highways in this manner. I can't think of any case where Louisiana took a major length of an existing two-lane road and incorporated it into a freeway. I can think of a few cases where Louisiana used an existing two-lane road as a service road for a new freeway, but that's it. This sort of thing just doesn't fit either Louisiana history or Louisiana attitudes about roads.
The only other logical thing I can think of that uses existing routes is upgrading US 190 from Kinder to Baton Rouge.
Personally, I'd simply concentrate on the SW perimeter of the LRX between I-10 near Scott and US 90/Future I-49 just north of New Iberia. That would make for a convenient shortcut for traffic wanting to escape the madness of Baton Rouge going to NOLA. Plus, if you wanted create a southern I-10 or I-6 combining that portion of the LRX and the majority of I-49 South to NOLA, that would do the job....and you could still keep I-49 for the remaining portions through Broussard and Lafayette.
Personally, I have a feeling that LRX is largely a pipe dream. Once I-49 is finished through Lafayette, LRX won't be much of a shortcut. Lafayette still isn't Houston. The main reason that we need LRX is because there is no freeway through Lafayette. LRX basically keep people in Vermilion Parish and Lafayette's south/western suburbs from having to go into Lafayette to catch a freeway. I'm just having a hard time seeing how people will support the cost of LRX once I-49 is complete through Lafayette.
(Oh, if I could go back 60 years and show Lafayette people what a mess Ambassador Caffery is today, because it was built as an arterial rather than a limited-access freeway...)
When the I-20/I-220 eastern interchange was originally built, the dirt work was built up to create a full cloverleaf interchange. Apparently no one currently likes that idea.
Wouldn't lots of $$ be saved making it a cloverleaf? All they need is bridges & concrete pavement.
Was Interstate 220 and LA 3132 planned to have been a full beltway around Shreveport? The stub ramps at the eastern 20/220 junction suggests this possibility. Also, will the Barksdale Air Force Base Connector have a highway designation? I doubt it will be an extension of Interstate 220.
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
iPhone
NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
I had a look for it in StreetView and it is also gone, as of July 2016. (I think I found its corpse (https://www.google.com/maps/@31.724407,-93.0699912,3a,43.6y,20.1h,78.36t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZV3YUuHz7rbBwomHsJ7byQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DZV3YUuHz7rbBwomHsJ7byQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D30.423737%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656) in the grass on the right-of-way.)
Work has now started on the building of a new exit on I-20. It will be exit 83 at Tarbutton Rd. in Ruston.
A new Service Rd. extension has also started in Ruston. It is on the westbound side of I-20 and runs from the current-end of the existing road (North Service Rd. East) to the next overpass at Rough Edge Rd. There has been talk for almost 20 years about building a new exit for Rough Edge Rd. I believe it would be exit 89, and the talk was centered around making that exit serve as a way to get to the Ruston airport. If they did that, they would need a lot of trailblazer signs to guide people to the airport. Ruston's airport isn't served by any airline company...mostly just for business jets.
Work has now started on the building of a new exit on I-20. It will be exit 83 at Tarbutton Rd. in Ruston.
A new Service Rd. extension has also started in Ruston. It is on the westbound side of I-20 and runs from the current-end of the existing road (North Service Rd. East) to the next overpass at Rough Edge Rd. There has been talk for almost 20 years about building a new exit for Rough Edge Rd. I believe it would be exit 89, and the talk was centered around making that exit serve as a way to get to the Ruston airport. If they did that, they would need a lot of trailblazer signs to guide people to the airport. Ruston's airport isn't served by any airline company...mostly just for business jets.
I accidentally put this on the wrong Louisiana page.
But I have heard that they will be building a new interchange at Rough Edge Rd. on the eastern edge of Ruston. It will be exit 89.
So that makes 5 exits (83 [the other new exit], 84, 85, 86, & [soon to be] 89) for a town of 20K people (more than that when the colleges are in session). Seem excessive?
Work has now started on the building of a new exit on I-20. It will be exit 83 at Tarbutton Rd. in Ruston.
A new Service Rd. extension has also started in Ruston. It is on the westbound side of I-20 and runs from the current-end of the existing road (North Service Rd. East) to the next overpass at Rough Edge Rd. There has been talk for almost 20 years about building a new exit for Rough Edge Rd. I believe it would be exit 89, and the talk was centered around making that exit serve as a way to get to the Ruston airport. If they did that, they would need a lot of trailblazer signs to guide people to the airport. Ruston's airport isn't served by any airline company...mostly just for business jets.
I accidentally put this on the wrong Louisiana page.
But I have heard that they will be building a new interchange at Rough Edge Rd. on the eastern edge of Ruston. It will be exit 89.
So that makes 5 exits (83 [the other new exit], 84, 85, 86, & [soon to be] 89) for a town of 20K people (more than that when the colleges are in session). Seem excessive?
Doesn't appear excessive based on the commercial development on Google Maps. My question would be why was I-20 routed so close to downtown Ruston when it was first built? I would have thought it would have swung farther north.
Work has now started on the building of a new exit on I-20. It will be exit 83 at Tarbutton Rd. in Ruston.
A new Service Rd. extension has also started in Ruston. It is on the westbound side of I-20 and runs from the current-end of the existing road (North Service Rd. East) to the next overpass at Rough Edge Rd. There has been talk for almost 20 years about building a new exit for Rough Edge Rd. I believe it would be exit 89, and the talk was centered around making that exit serve as a way to get to the Ruston airport. If they did that, they would need a lot of trailblazer signs to guide people to the airport. Ruston's airport isn't served by any airline company...mostly just for business jets.
I accidentally put this on the wrong Louisiana page.
But I have heard that they will be building a new interchange at Rough Edge Rd. on the eastern edge of Ruston. It will be exit 89.
So that makes 5 exits (83 [the other new exit], 84, 85, 86, & [soon to be] 89) for a town of 20K people (more than that when the colleges are in session). Seem excessive?
Doesn't appear excessive based on the commercial development on Google Maps. My question would be why was I-20 routed so close to downtown Ruston when it was first built? I would have thought it would have swung farther north.
When that stretch of I-20 was built in 1957-1960, it was built well north of what was then downtown Ruston. The shopping center on the north side of I-20 (affectionately known as the "K-mart shopping center", originally named the Graham Shoppi g Center) was built in the early 80s. "Urban sprawl" has been going on hard & heavy since then.
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=14698
These are the top 5 priority projects in the state? :hmmm: :confused:
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=14698
These are the top 5 priority projects in the state? :hmmm: :confused:
Ummm....no.
That's just the latest projects that came up for letting. The letting process only reflects the projects that are funded and call ready for bidding and construction.
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
iPhone
Sad day indeed. :-( :-(
Work has now started on the building of a new exit on I-20. It will be exit 83 at Tarbutton Rd. in Ruston.
A new Service Rd. extension has also started in Ruston. It is on the westbound side of I-20 and runs from the current-end of the existing road (North Service Rd. East) to the next overpass at Rough Edge Rd. There has been talk for almost 20 years about building a new exit for Rough Edge Rd. I believe it would be exit 89, and the talk was centered around making that exit serve as a way to get to the Ruston airport. If they did that, they would need a lot of trailblazer signs to guide people to the airport. Ruston's airport isn't served by any airline company...mostly just for business jets.
I accidentally put this on the wrong Louisiana page.
But I have heard that they will be building a new interchange at Rough Edge Rd. on the eastern edge of Ruston. It will be exit 89.
So that makes 5 exits (83 [the other new exit], 84, 85, 86, & [soon to be] 89) for a town of 20K people (more than that when the colleges are in session). Seem excessive?
Doesn't appear excessive based on the commercial development on Google Maps. My question would be why was I-20 routed so close to downtown Ruston when it was first built? I would have thought it would have swung farther north.
When that stretch of I-20 was built in 1957-1960, it was built well north of what was then downtown Ruston. The shopping center on the north side of I-20 (affectionately known as the "K-mart shopping center", originally named the Graham Shopping Center) was built in the early 80s. "Urban sprawl" has been going on hard & heavy since then.
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
iPhone
Sad day indeed. :-( :-(
I would like to take this moment to apologize for any broken hearts I may have caused making this report a few months ago....because I was dead wrong! The outline LA 1 shield signs on both overpasses are indeed still up. I just drove through there an hour ago and saw them with my own eyes.
Again, I apologize for being so very wrong.
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=14457
I was unaware of the Calcasieu River bridge becoming a national historic site.
I-49 between Alexandria and Natchitoches is getting signs replaced. The clearview font looks clean like most of Louisiana’s other versions; it isn’t too cluttered on the sign.
I figured an older one would have popped up somewhere. :pan:
I just hate that it’s missing LA 146 with it
iPhone
I just hate that it’s missing LA 146 with it
iPhone
LA 146 is never shown love at this intersection. When the previous individual-sign assembly was established (2005 maybe?), LA 146 was ignored then as well. However, the JCT-assembly west of Monroe St. was put up at the same time listing LA 146.
The concurrency itself is well signed until the intersection of S. Trenton & W. California where US 80 & LA 146 leave US 167. That intersection has never had all of the proper signage.
On I-20, the BGSs for exit 85 have never shown the concurrency.
I just hate that it’s missing LA 146 with it
iPhone
LA 146 is never shown love at this intersection. When the previous individual-sign assembly was established (2005 maybe?), LA 146 was ignored then as well. However, the JCT-assembly west of Monroe St. was put up at the same time listing LA 146.
The concurrency itself is well signed until the intersection of S. Trenton & W. California where US 80 & LA 146 leave US 167. That intersection has never had all of the proper signage.
On I-20, the BGSs for exit 85 have never shown the concurrency.
I've always wished exit 85 showed LA 146 and had a little more long range cities. Ruston is big enough to know you're in Ruston at exit 85. Maybe show Jonesboro and ElDorado. And if LA 146 isn't being shown there, I can't imagine DOTD is rushing to put US 63 north on there anytime soon either
They’ll have to change that “Ruston next 3 exits” sign too. Like when West Monroe added the Downing Pines Exit
iPhone
Cosign on this one.
Louisiana is kinda weird regarding signing interchanges through cities.
On I-10, when they added the Louisiana Avenue interchange in Lafayette, they also revised the I-49/US 167 BGS's for the exits for 167 South (Future I-49 South) to read "Morgan City" rather than "Lafayette". You'd think they would have used "Downtown Lafayette" and left "Morgan City" for a secondary reassurance sign.
However...on I-49 through Opelousas, they have the "Opelousas NEXT 3 INTERCHANGES" signs up, but they still have the US 190 West BGS labeled as "Opelousas" rather than "Downtown".
Some consistency would be nice, LADOTD.
I was wondering, after watching a Big Rig Steve video a few days ago, does LADOTD have any near-term plans to rebuild I-20 through Shreveport?
*YOWSAH!!!* :-o
Mike
Question: Has Clearview been abandoned or not? I've seen signs going up in New Orleans that are FHWA recently, but then I've seen Clearview going up elsewhere.
Question: Has Clearview been abandoned or not? I've seen signs going up in New Orleans that are FHWA recently, but then I've seen Clearview going up elsewhere.
The interim approval from the FHWA has been revoked, so unless those signs were approved and laid out before then, there shouldn't be any new Clearview signs being put up.
Question: Has Clearview been abandoned or not? I've seen signs going up in New Orleans that are FHWA recently, but then I've seen Clearview going up elsewhere.
The interim approval from the FHWA has been revoked, so unless those signs were approved and laid out before then, there shouldn't be any new Clearview signs being put up.
Pretty easy answer to that question: LaDOTD is doing some things on the cheap, like that US-11 exit sign. That's just a face-palm of a sign. They might as well have just used a US-11 shield, an arrow and nothing when using a sign panel that small.
DOTD is moving ahead with the I-20/220 Barksdale AFB interchange:
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=17130
DOTD is moving ahead with the I-20/220 Barksdale AFB interchange:
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=17130
I wonder if it could be part of a bigger long-range plan to extend I-220 to the proposed I-69?
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
iPhone
Sad day indeed. :-( :-(
I would like to take this moment to apologize for any broken hearts I may have caused making this report a few months ago....because I was dead wrong! The outline LA 1 shield signs on both overpasses are indeed still up. I just drove through there an hour ago and saw them with my own eyes.
Again, I apologize for being so very wrong.
You know I’m a transportation & logistics geek, but the only number on that map that is out of whack & is an outlier, even for a major trade state like LA, is mileage of state roads. A state this size shouldn’t have that much mileage. Need to transfer many back to the parishes.
— Norby Chabert (@NorbNolty) November 8, 2018
State Sen. Norby Chabert comments on Louisiana's highway network:You know I’m a transportation & logistics geek, but the only number on that map that is out of whack & is an outlier, even for a major trade state like LA, is mileage of state roads. A state this size shouldn’t have that much mileage. Need to transfer many back to the parishes.
— Norby Chabert (@NorbNolty) November 8, 2018
Is that the same Norby Chabert who (blah blah blah)
In case you may be curious: http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=18373
In case you may be curious: http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=18373
I doubt I can make it but if I could, I'd make sure to bring up two words: Interstate 14.
If both states are serious about I-14, then they should definitely stat planning early on for the Sabine River crossing. They definitely don't want to spend a lot of money replacing the bridge only to have to build an entirely separate bridge for I-14. It also presents an opportunity to plan a corridor between Jasper and Leesville that will hold the interstate (and perhaps some precursor of it as a realignment of TX-63 and LA-8).
Apparently someone at DOTD likes the hyphenated "by-pass." Some of us prefer consistency.
The point is that quality control isn't a DOTD strong suit.
Louisiana has lost 2 more outline state shield signs. The 2 hanging over US 71/LA 1 at I-220 have been replaced with extruded panel signs & white LA 1 shields.NOOO! Only one left that I know of. LA 1 bypass BGS as you approach Natchitoches on LA 1 north
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Sad day indeed. :-( :-(
I would like to take this moment to apologize for any broken hearts I may have caused making this report a few months ago....because I was dead wrong! The outline LA 1 shield signs on both overpasses are indeed still up. I just drove through there an hour ago and saw them with my own eyes.
Again, I apologize for being so very wrong.
I regret to pass this along, but the old state outline signs at the N. Market St/I-220 interchange have now been replaced. Here is the sad proof:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1945/31225020478_2caf44f876.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PzfoJ3)Old state outline signs replaced at N. Market St. (https://flic.kr/p/PzfoJ3) by Jess Kilgore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130771900@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1975/31225020408_343e094d78.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PzfoGQ)Old state outline signs replaced at N Market St. (https://flic.kr/p/PzfoGQ) by Jess Kilgore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130771900@N08/), on Flickr
And then, there was only 1.
The exit sign with the outline shield for LA 72 (Old Minden Rd.) at the exit ramp has been removed. This is another victim of aging overhead trusses that DOTD have been taking down.
So now there is only 1 outline shield left. It is on I-20 WB just past the Industrial Dr. exit. It is the first exit sign for Old Minden Rd...and it is still center tabbed too! (http://And now only 3 remain.
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I don't know what I did or how I did that, but there are no links to look at in the body of the message.
Are you referring to the outline shields when you say "non-white" shields? If so, that is what I am referring to.
The new Tarbutton Road interchange (Exit 83) was fully opened to traffic last Thursday.They’ll have to change that “Ruston next 3 exits” sign too. Like when West Monroe added the Downing Pines Exit
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This & relocate the sign west of town further west. The current one is located close to the new Tarbutton ramp.
The new Tarbutton Road interchange (Exit 83) was fully opened to traffic last Thursday.They’ll have to change that “Ruston next 3 exits” sign too. Like when West Monroe added the Downing Pines Exit
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This & relocate the sign west of town further west. The current one is located close to the new Tarbutton ramp.
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=23570