GONZALES State highway officials will unveil plans next month to improve traffic flow through the La. 44 corridor south of Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish where major housing projects have sproutedover the past two decades and more are on the way.
Many residents say the traffic is already oppressive and fear new projects under development will only make the problem worse.
The state Department of Transportation and Development has been working on studies of La. 73 in the Dutchtown area and La. 44 in Gonzales and the Burnside area as these two highway corridors have continued to feel the brunt of the population growth in Ascension, highway officials said.
---
Not seeing the video below? Click here.
---
While the La. 73 "corridor study" is still under review, DOTD's corridor analysis for La. 44 between I-10 and La. 22 has led to plans to combine funds from the state, the city of Gonzales, subdivision developers and possibly parish government to see through the first phase of the concept, officials said. But there won't be enough money to extend the work all the way down to La. 22.
DOTD and other officials briefly described the first phase of improvements in advance of the public open house in Gonzales on Aug. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m.Two roundabouts would be added to La. 44 roughly between I-10 and just south of Loosemore Road. In addition, La. 44 would be widened from two to four lanes between I-10 and the first of the roundabouts planned north of Loosemore.
Even as DOTD pulls together its plans for the meeting next month, earth work is underway for the massive mixed-use Conway project in Gonzales and the 163-home Oak Lake subdivision in unincorporated Ascension across La. 44 from Conway.
+3
GONZALES State highway officials are conducting or planning corridor studies to see how
The area south of I-10, which is partially in Gonzales and partially in unincorporated Ascension, is already home to large subdivisions like Pelican Point, Pelican Crossing and River Ridge. More are on the drawing board, including the 951-home Conway, Oak Lake and the 780-home Riverton subdivision along nearby La. 22. Conway will also have apartments and retail and be next to a proposed public high school.
The bumper-to-bumper traffic on two-lane La. 44 became a major theme in recent years when Conway, Riverton, Oak Lake and other projects moved through local planning review.
Residents critical of those residential developments frequently spoke at the time about being unable to get onto La. 44 from Loosemore during peak travel times because of the continuous stream of traffic.
The highway is the only nearby route to I-10 from the burgeoning area that was once cane fields and cow pasture. La. 44 also serves traffic to plants along the Mississippi River.
GONZALES As Ascension political leaders consider a temporary halt on new development, the
State highway officials said they will have plans and want comments for the entire La. 44 corridor, but Rodney Mallet, DOTD spokesman, said there aren't funds to do more improvements farther south on La. 44 toward La. 22. Details on additional phases were not immediately available.
Mallett said the total cost for the first round of improvements isn't yet available. DOTD is counting on state safety funds and general obligation bond revenue to help pay for that first phase. But additional money is also expected from a variety of other sources, local officials and developers said, as developers and local governments are expected to chip in to tackle pieces and parts of the first phase of upgrades along La. 44.
For instance, the developers of Conway are expected to build a roundabout in front of their project on La. 44 and pay for part of a second northbound lane on the state highway, said Jackie Baumann, Gonzales' city engineer. The highway section would extend from the future Conway roundabout to the development's property line. The cost for the lane and roundabout are expected to be about $4.5 million.
Gonzales is contributing another $1.3 million to finish the remainder of the second northbound lane on La. 44 from Conway's north property line to I-10, Baumann said.
That cash is coming from DOTD as part of a road exchange between the city and the highway department. Gonzales is taking over long-term responsibility for another section of La. 44 for the $1.3 million and for improvements to that other section of La. 44, which runs through the heart of the city, City Clerk Clay Stafford said.
Also known as Burnside Avenue, the highway section in the center of town recently received DOTD-fundedroad, sidewalk, curb and other improvements between the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks and Cornerview Road, Stafford said.
Also, the developers of Oak Lake, which is across La. 44 from Conway and in the parish, are planning to contribute to the cost of building the second southbound lane on La. 44.
Deric Murphy, the engineering representative for that developer, said Friday that the contribution remains a subject of negotiation since Oak Lake must pay more than $300,000 in road impact fees to the parish government.
Parish government officials also said they are considering contributing to the cost of the second roundabout south of Loosemore Road if the state needs additional money.
DOTD officials said oral and written comments about plans for the La. 44 corridor can be submitted at the meeting Aug. 7 or mailed by Aug. 21 to DOTD.
The open house will be in the large conference room inside the Ascension Parish Governmental Complex, 615 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales.
Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.
Originally posted here:
- Ascension (TV Mini-Series 2014) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2016]
- Ascension (miniseries) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Ascension of Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Ascension - Wikitravel [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Ascension Of Jesus - Bible Story Summary [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Ascension - NEW ADVENT [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Ascension - Season 1 Reviews - Metacritic [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Home - Ascension Parish [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Ascension - Sal Rachele [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Ascension [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Welcome to our Parish! | Ascension Catholic Church [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Ascension - Definition and Meaning, Bible Dictionary [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Ascension - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Coffee & Wine Bar | Ascension Coffee Roasters Dallas, Texas [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Home - Ascension School [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- What is Ascension | Sandra Walter - Creative Evolution [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Ascension News, Sports and Entertainment | The Advocate [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Welcome to our Parish! | Ascension Catholic Church [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Ascension - Guild Wars Wiki (GWW) [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Ascension - SGCommand - Wikia [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Ascension (TV Mini-Series 2014) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Ascension Ministries and Norm Franz. A Torah Based End ... [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Ascension Energy Program [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Ascension with Mother Earth and Current State of Affairs [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Ascension of Our Lord [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Clerk of Court - Home [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- 'Ascension': What Syfy Did Better Than Most TV Networks [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Orgone Radionic Machine | Ascension Energy Program [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2016]
- Xcalibur Magnetic Field Generator | Ascension Energy Program [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Ascension Symptoms & Signs of Spiritual Awakening [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Ascension Catholic Community [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2016]
- Crystal Ascension [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2016]
- Freedom Resource Center - Ascension_151#151 [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2016]
- Ascension (miniseries) - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- THE LORD OF ASCENSION - gotquestions.org [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2016]
- Ascension Parish | News from The Advocate | theadvocate.com [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2016]
- Ascension Church - Portland, OR [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2016]
- What is Ascension - The Secret Truth About [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2016]
- Ascension of Jesus - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Stankov's Universal Law Press The New General Theory of ... [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- The Plan and Process of Ascension - Spiritual Evolution [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- Ascension Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- Monastery of Ascension - RuneScape Wiki - Wikia [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- Mythology of Stargate - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- What is Ascension? Energetic Synthesis [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Right ascension - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Ascension (TV Mini-Series 2014 ) - IMDb [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- Latest Ascension Parish Crime Briefs - Donaldsonville Chief - Donaldsonville Chief [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Album Review: THE OMINOUS CIRCLE Appalling Ascension - Metal Injection.net [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Former Ascension coaches make HOF - Donaldsonville Chief [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 2 killed in crash Sunday afternoon in Ascension Parish - KLFY [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Card Coming Together For Saturday's FIP: Ascension - FloSlam [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Impairment suspected in Ascension Parish crash - Weekly Citizen [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Ascension opens first clinic under new unified name - St. Louis Business Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Crime cameras go live in Ascension Parish with plans for more - WBRZ [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- TowerFall Ascension Review - TrueAchievements [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Ascension to move forward on street widening and intersection projects - WBRZ [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Mojo Rawley Works Dark Match, Ascension / Vaudevillians Note, The New England Patriots Celebrate With Their ... - Wrestlezone [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Harry Kane Reflects on Tottenham's Ascension and Mauricio Pochettino's Influence - HotspurHQ [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Complete Construction Contractors owner arrested on counts of post-flood contractor fraud in Ascension - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Governor likely in Tamil Nadu today, but may bide time over Sasikala's ascension - Times of India [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Tour Ascension executive director among leadership academy graduates - Weekly Citizen [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Girls soccer playoffs: Mount Carmel dominates East Ascension, moves to quarterfinals - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Ascension, Livingston, St. James parishes pick up pieces after tornadoes - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- FIP: Ascension Preview: What's Next From Uncle John's Friends? - FloSlam [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Contestants Chosen for 2017 Ascension Idol Competition - TheCreole.com (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office investigating fake Facebook page - WBRZ [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ascension Parish arrest report - News - Gonzales Weekly Citizen ... - Weekly Citizen [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Tower Ascension Xbox One review enter the Dark World - Metro [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ascension Announces New Album "Under The Veil Of Madness" - Metal Underground [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The angels announce the Ascension; Angels: Day 203 - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Patricia Maryland, Dr.PH, to Become President and CEO of Ascension Healthcare - Michronicleonline [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Boys basketball: East Ascension takes physical game against ... - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The Shady Ascension of Luther Strange - New Republic [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- FIP Ascension 2017 live results thread: Yehi vs. Cage - Cageside ... - Cageside Seats (blog) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Regional sewer plans in Ascension appear headed for another set back - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- WWE News: The Ascension's Viktor responds to WWE excluding them in a video - Sportskeeda [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Chandler, East Ascension driving toward a higher goal as postseason arrives - The Advocate [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Elimination Chamber 2017 Results: American Alphas Defeats The Ascension - Business 2 Community [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Utah Jazz: Brad Stevens Praises Gordon Hayward's All-Star Ascension - Purple & Blues [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]