WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• West Feliciana sewer system nears completion

  April 19, 2013 10:08 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A $3.8 million project to provide sewer service to a rural area of West Feliciana Parish is nearing completion after a struggle of more than 10 years. Contractors and parish employees tested the sewage treatment portion of the project on Thursday. The new system will serve... more »

• Iberville council delays awarding clinic contract

  April 18, 2013 8:16 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - Because the bids opened for the new Iberville Parish Ochsner Health Clinic were all higher than expected, the Parish Council delayed for at least two weeks awarding the project until further details can be worked out. The lowest bidder was Lincoln Builders of Baton Rouge at $19.6... more »

• Baker to upgrade city's natural gas pipelines

  April 10, 2013 8:37 AM

  BAKER - The Baker City Council has approved a bid for a project in the works for more than 20 years to upgrade some of the city's natural gas pipelines. Mayor Harold Rideau says the city has been trying to secure funding since 1990 to upgrade some natural gas pipelines... more »

• Council approves facility project in Gonzales

  April 8, 2013 9:45 PM

  GONZALES- City leaders approved plans for Emerson Process Management to build a new headquarters in Ascension Parish. It will be built on West Edenborne Parkway, off I-10 and adds about 60 jobs. It was briefly stalled because city leaders could not agree on zoning change until late last... more »

• Council backs zoning change for Emerson project

  March 25, 2013 7:56 PM

  GONZALES - City leaders were able to agree on a zoning change, paving the way for a planned Ascension Parish headquarters for Emerson Process Management. Monday night, the city council was able to settle a disagreement by making changes over the type of special use permit the facility would... more »

• LSU students take stand against bullying with project Play Video

  March 6, 2013 4:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A group of LSU students took their class project into other classrooms around Baton Rouge. The anti-bullying campaign, "To Be Honest," was created by the LSU PRSSA Bateman Team. The campaign was heavily based on social media but also included an educational program that will... more »

• La. buys wetlands with oil spill settlement funds

  January 8, 2013 10:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state has acquired more than 11,000 acres of wetlands in Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes as part of a conservation project funded by a settlement over the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana said Monday that the $6.7 million purchase of the... more »

• BR airport rotunda project: early 2013 completion

  December 3, 2012 10:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A project to enlarge the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport rotunda should be completed in the first quarter of 2013. The rotunda expansion is the first part of a four-phase, $9 million project that will include new enclosed curbside check-in, new flooring and new restrooms. Ralph... more »

• One phase of I-12 project wrapping up soon Play Video

  November 16, 2012 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The widening of I-12 between Juban Road and Walker could wrap up by next spring. An additional lane of traffic is being added in each direction. State traffic officials say another phase could start late next year. That phase will involve widening the interstate between Walker and... more »

• Engineer to unveil Gonzales roads plan draft

  September 25, 2012 10:14 AM

  GONZALES - Gonzales officials are a few weeks away from unveiling a comprehensive transportation improvement plan that includes upgrades to many of city's major roads. Glenn Shaheen, a consultant and engineer working on the transportation plan, called The Go Program, presented a preliminary report to the city council on... more »

• Mandeville bicycle path nears completion

  September 24, 2012 10:13 AM

  MANDEVILLE - Officials say construction of a $1.8 million pedestrian and bike path along West Causeway Approach that will help connect the east and west sides of Mandeville should be completed in two to three weeks. Mayor Donald Villere says plans are in the works to improve traffic signals... more »

• Construction projects planned for 6 EBR schools

  September 13, 2012 8:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A series of improvement projects are scheduled to take place at six schools across East Baton Rouge Parish. School board members approved the plans Wednesday night during a "committee of the whole" meeting. The schools scheduled for construction work are Belfair, Bernard Terrace, Greenbrier and... more »

• Developer must pay $201M for loans, interest

  September 5, 2012 8:05 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge says a Baton Rouge developer owes an Ohio lender $201.9 million in loans and interest on a mixed-use project called Perkins Rowe. U.S. District Judge James J. Brady added that J.T. "Tommy" Spinosa and his firms also must pay Cleveland-based KeyBank National Association... more »

• "Rebuild Rosie Project" makes progress Play Video

  August 13, 2012 6:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A family is finally getting a roof over their head after a News 2 story brought in thousands of dollars in cash and donations to rebuild her home. Rosie Antoine lost her home earlier this summer and planned to move into her son's old house. That home... more »

• I-12 Expansion opens after three years of work Play Video

  June 12, 2012 5:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After more than three years of construction and subsequent traffic delays, The Department of Transportation and Development has opened Interstate 12 between O'Neal Lane in East Baton Rouge Parish and Juban Road in Livingston Parish. "It's the best thing that I could ever wish for to... more »

• Hooper Road extension plan on track Play Video

  June 11, 2012 5:27 PM

  CENTRAL- Plans to build a new bridge connecting East Baton Rouge Parish with Livingston Parish are on track, according to Central city leaders. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development revealed plans for the route connecting Central to the Watson area last week. A new bridge crossing the Amite... more »

• I-12 widening nearly complete, opening soon

  June 6, 2012 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It won't be long before drivers will enjoy six lanes of travel in Interstate 12 between O'Neal Lane and Juban Road. The Department of Transportation and Development has not set a firm date for the opening but said it will be "a few weeks." The... more »

• Deal for crime "interceptors" gets backing from BR Metro Council

  April 25, 2012 9:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE- City leaders decided to fund the development of a new crime fighting tactic called "Cease Fire." Metro Council signed-off on the plan Wednesday night. The project pays people to step into troubling situations hopefully to stop violence before anything bad happens. more »

• Google unveils augmented reality glasses project

  April 5, 2012 11:33 AM

  MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Adding to their reputation as technology pioneers, Google unveiled their "Project Glass" Wednesday; a technology that has been compared to a smartphone for your eyes. The glasses, as demonstrated in a YouTube video posted by Google, are planned to superimpose calendar events, weather forecasts, directions,... more »

• Gonzales trail, park project put on hold

  March 18, 2012 10:19 AM

  GONZALES - Mayor Barney Arceneaux says a project that would turn a 54-acre tract of land in Gonzales into walking trails and a dog park has been put on hold. The mayor said on Friday that he wants to make sure the funds for the project are locked up before... more »

• Hurricane forecasting, storm projections

  March 5, 2012 5:42 PM

  CHARLESTON, S.C. - The director of the National Hurricane Center expects the agency soon will be able to project hurricane positions a week ahead of time. The Hurricane center now projects storm positions five days out, although Director Bill Read admitted confidence in those forecasts diminishes over time. ... more »

• Gov. Jindal marks completion of I-49 project

  February 22, 2012 3:09 PM

  NEW IBERIA - Governor Bobby Jindal marked the completion today of a $5.4 million I-49 South project that constructed 2.75 miles of frontage roads along U.S. 90 from La. 83 to Darnall Road. Governor Jindal said, "The completion of this project is a big step in our effort to... more »

• Staring Lane widening project on-schedule a year after start Play Video

  February 6, 2012 6:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The four-lane expansion project underway on Staring Lane is on schedule. DPW says phase one is expected to be finished by the end of 2012, and the entire project is still planned to open at the end of 2013. News 2's Ashley Rodrigue will have more... more »

• Lafayette housing project plans move forward

  January 31, 2012 7:28 AM

  LAFAYETTE - The Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority has authorized actions needed to begin construction of its newest affordable housing development planned for downtown Lafayette. Earlier this month, the public trust group approved its acquisition of the development and other downtown property from the project's original sponsor, the nonprofit organization... more »

• Board backs renovation project at Istrouma High

  January 20, 2012 7:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has approved spending $586,000 to renovate classrooms on the second floor of Istrouma High School. Two months ago the board voted to delay the construction at the high school over the objections of Superintendent John Dilworth. Istrouma High School is... more »

• Vitter: NASA selects New Orleans for part of rocket project

  September 29, 2011 2:44 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - NASA has chosen the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to construct some of the components of its new heavy-lift rocket. That's according to Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana. The rocket's design was unveiled by NASA on Sept. 14. NASA said that it... more »

• Governor Jindal cuts ribbon on new U.S. 61 corridor 4-lane project

  September 19, 2011 2:53 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- Governor Bobby Jindal, along with the Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, and state and local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the U.S. 61 corridor in West Feliciana Parish. The completion of the final segment of U.S. 61... more »

• Cable barriers to be installed next month on I-10

  September 13, 2011 5:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Cable barriers are set to be installed next month on portions of I-10 between Baton Rouge and News Orleans. Money for the $2.7-million project will come from safety funds from the Federal Highway Administration. In East Baton Rouge Parish the project will begin at Highland Road... more »

• Highland Rd. construction nearly complete

  June 17, 2011 6:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A major widening project on Highland Road in south Baton Rouge is almost complete. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the stretch between Airline Highway and I-10. It'll open in less than a month, cost nearly $15 million and took two-and-a-half years to complete. ... more »

• Guard completes levee project in Krotz Springs

  May 18, 2011 5:24 PM

  KROTZ SPRINGS, La.- Hundreds of homes might stay dry thanks to a two-mile levee the Louisiana National Guard finished building yesterday. It's in Krotz Springs, La. and protects an area where people where people were told to evacuate. Jeannette Ellis lives across the street from the levee, and plans... more »

• Voters approve Lake Charles casino project

  May 1, 2011 9:56 AM

  LAKE CHARLES- Voters in Calcasieu Parish have approved a proposal to bring a fourth riverboat casino to the area. Creative Casinos LLC plans to use the 15th and final riverboat gambling license allowed by Louisiana law to build a $400 million gambling resort known as Mojito Pointe. With... more »

• Project aims to bring crowds back to the Gulf

  April 4, 2011 3:19 PM

  GULF SHORES, Ala.- Officials say Alabama's beaches are bouncing back from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and they say major marketing efforts to attract tourists back to the Gulf Coast are now under way. Executives with Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and Arizona-based Circle K say the companies are teaming up for... more »

• Comite River Diversion Canal project could see speed up

  March 9, 2011 10:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Comite River is set to crest 2 1/2 feet above flood stage. The Comite River Diversion Project was planned after floods in the early 80s to prevent flooding. Fifty-three hundred homes and businesses in three parishes were damaged. The diversion canal is 12 miles long... more »

• Nucor gets air permit for Louisiana project

  January 27, 2011 2:47 PM

  CONVENT- Nucor Corporation will begin construction immediately on the first phase of its iron and steelmaking project in St. James Parish. The way was cleared by the issuance of an air quality permit today by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The permit covers two iron-making plants. Nucor initially... more »

• Bill's rejection leaves questions about BR project

  December 27, 2010 10:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - We are working to find out what's next for a Baton Rouge interstate project, after the U. S. Senate rejected the $1.2 trillion omnibus spending bill that included a portion of its funding. An earmark in the bill included $750,000 for an interchange at I-10 and... more »

• Lawmakers question money for BR manufacturing site

  December 17, 2010 5:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Lawmakers have approved plans for a new manufacturing site that would employ many visually-impaired workers, but only after questions about an incentives package used to secure the business. The non-profit Lighthouse for the Blind plans to open a paper cup manufacturing facility on North Flannery. The plan... more »

• State, Shell team up for coastal reef project

  December 14, 2010 11:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal announced today that Shell was donating $1.5 million to the state for coastal conservation projects, including a reef project due to begin this spring. The donation was made to the Coastal Conservation Association, and will be used first for reef restoration projects on... more »

• Library project takes center stage at budget hearing

  November 16, 2010 10:31 PM

  Dozens of people from across Baton Rouge spent hours Tuesday evening weighing in on the city's proposed budget for libraries. At the heart of the debate, a $19 million project to tear down and rebuild the downtown library. TEA Party members, library-users and families from across the parish... more »

• Pinnacle gets zoning for BR casino

  November 16, 2010 7:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. has received final zoning approval for its $357 million riverboat casino-hotel project in Baton Rouge. Las Vegas-based Pinnacle won approval last month from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to double the size of its hotel to 200 rooms and add an 800-space parking garage.... more »

• La. farmers sign up for wetlands program

  November 13, 2010 11:06 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - U.S. agriculture officials say a record number of Louisiana farmers signed up this year for a program to turn little-used farm land into wetlands. In Louisiana, 22,544 acres were included in the Wetlands Reserve Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Across the United States, more... more »

• Rough Roads: Brightside Lane

  October 31, 2010 7:01 PM

  Brightside Lane is getting a turn lane, sidewalks and bike paths to ease the flow of traffic that's exploded from college housing in the past few years, but that improvement comes at a price. The road has been a headache for drivers for a year now, and the $15... more »

• Juban Crossing project coming to Denham Springs

  October 21, 2010 6:21 PM

  New shopping options are on the way for Livingston Parish as the Juban Crossing project gets set to break ground in Denham Springs. The project, which is expected to feature retail shops as well as residential options, will be built near the intersection of Interstate 12 and Juban Road.... more »

• Intersection to close for 10 days for widening project

  October 21, 2010 5:54 PM

  A busy intersection in Baton Rouge will be closed for awhile due to construction starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. The intersection of Highland Road and Old Perkins Road East, also known as Barringer Foreman Road, will be closed for 10 days as part of the ongoing Highland widening project.... more »

• Money may stay on downtown streets, not go to police

  October 20, 2010 10:32 PM

  Half of the East Baton Rouge Metro Council wants to leave almost a million dollars dedicated to changing the direction of two downtown streets in the project's budget. A committee of the council talked about removing $900,000 from a construction plan turning St. Louis and St. Ferdinad Streets into... more »

• New oil siphon would take only weeks to be in use

  October 20, 2010 3:08 PM

  The senior manager of a project to build a more efficient system to contain oil in deep water said that once built and tested, the cap-and-siphon contraption could be deployed and in use within weeks of a future well blowout. Exxon Mobil's Lloyd Guillory said he is confident the never-before-attempted... more »

• Large construction hole concerns BR neighbors

  September 21, 2010 9:44 PM

  A giant hole is draining one neighborhood of its comfort in south Baton Rouge. That hole is untouched, unprotected, and it's been that way for months. The Department of Public Works officials said it's their project but the contractor's hole, and a permit from the railroad company is putting both... more »

• Coastal berms project controversy continues

  September 9, 2010 5:23 PM

  The Environmental Protection Agency said it wants changes to the state's coastal berms project. Governor Bobby Jindal fought for the sand protection system after the Deepwater Horizon explosion. The berms are designed to catch oil from the spill before it reaches the coast. EPA officials said future permits... more »

• Lake Charles officials review development project

  August 26, 2010 7:04 AM

  The Lake Charles city government has received a detailed proposal for a lakefront development project that would be named Mardi Gras Boardwalk. Lake Charles Mardi Gras Boardwalk LLC proposes building a waterfront entertainment venue on the north side of the Civic Center in two phases using 50 acres of land.... more »

• $700,000 awarded for anti-erosion project

  February 18, 2010 5:31 AM

  The federal Minerals Management Service has approved a grant of just under $700,000 to Tangipahoa Parish for the first phase of a shoreline protection project on the northern edge of Lake Pontchartrain. The money will be used for engineering and design, land rights and administrative costs. The project is located... more »

• State sued over I-10 widening contract

  February 11, 2010 11:30 AM

  A Baton Rouge contractor that lost out in its bid to widen Interstate 10 is suing the state for awarding the contract to a New Orleans firm with the highest cost and longest time to do the work. Coastal Bridge Co. wants a state judge to order the Louisiana Department... more »

• U.S. 190 bridge improvements possible

  October 3, 2009 11:59 AM

  The U.S. 190 bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge may get an $80 million facelift. The initial contract to put together a plan for the facelift has been awarded to a Massachusetts company. Bridge improvements could start as early as 2011 although that could be delayed. Included... more »

• Mayor Holden to speak on Alive Project

  September 25, 2009 4:22 PM

  Mayor-President Kip Holden will hold a news briefing on Monday, September 28th to discuss the Alive Project proposed for downtown Baton Rouge. The news briefing will also address other issues related to the $901 million bond proposal. Joining the Mayor at the news conference are expected to be a number... more »