Group seeking solutions for city's traffic problems
BATON ROUGE - Traffic is the number one enemy in the capital city.
CRISIS, Capital Region Industry Sustainable Infrastructure and Solution, is a coalition of business leaders who are looking for possible solutions to the city's traffic woes.
The group's Executive Director, Scott Kirkpatrick, says this has been a year long research project where they've received feedback from elected and state officials on ways to alleviate traffic.
"Unfortunately, as we know... We have some of the worst traffic in the nation," Kirkpatrick said. "Those significant roadways around our region, expanding those using those in a smarter way. Looking at technology, synchronizing lights and using intelligence transportation. We also looked at smart growth--and how we plan and zone, and design intersections better."
The report confirms the frustrations driver see daily, however the report focuses on improving US-61, I-110, and looking at the possibility of constructing a third bridge over the Mississippi River.
"Of course that bridge is expensive and will take some time to build. DOTD has put forth a plan to improve how you can get on and off that bridge, so you can have a better traffic flow there," Kirkpatrick said.
There are federal and state funding options that could pay for a new bridge but it's still questionable.
Trending News
"Certainly there's been some openness to tolling. That's something we're still looking at on how that can be implemented in this area."
The group wants to implement other transportation alternatives like commuting, biking, and mass transit solutions.