For students who do not walk or ride a bicycle to school each day, early morning and afternoon traffic means planning ahead. But students can expect improved traffic flow on campus and the downtown area once the Burbank Drive project is complete next year. Part of East Baton Rouge’s Green Light Plan, the project is also expected to reduce traffic congestion on Highland Road. The city-parish received contractor bids earlier this month and is scheduled to begin construction in January 2008. The plan calls for additional turning lanes and intersection improvements on Burbank, which is divided into two segments. The total estimated construction cost for both segments of the project is $14,598,288. Brad Ponder, GLP program manager, said Segment 1 begins near the West Lee Drive intersection and stretches to Bluebonnet Boulevard. The projected average daily traffic for this area in 2030 is 42,467 vehicles per day. Ponder said the project aims to cut this figure by constructing more turning lanes and making intersection improvements at Burbank Drive and Gardere Lane. The new Burbank will connect to other north-south improvements on Siegen Lane and Bluebonnet. Christina Alaniz, mathematics freshman, said she drives to campus from Siegen every day and is happy about the road plans. “I’m glad because it takes 30 minutes just to get from Siegen to LSU in bad traffic,” she said. “I don’t think people will be in such a rush to hurry up and get out the door. I also think people’s days will be better too if they don’t have to sit in traffic.” Segment 2 includes the area where Bluebonnet and Highland run into Burbank. The GLP highlights the projected average daily traffic for this area in 2030 to be 24,347 vehicles per day. The proposed plan for the intersection at Burbank and Bluebonnet means additional turning lanes and increased turning signals. Ponder said the addition of more turning lanes will create a four-lane divided roadway to relieve traffic flow. Andrew Price, biochemistry and psychology sophomore, said he thinks more traffic signals will be very beneficial. Price said he drives to campus from Bluebonnet, and traffic is a problem particularly when people try to turn where there is no traffic light. Drew Landry, construction management sophomore, said he thinks people will still be in the daily rush to get to school. “People will still have to leave early for parking purposes,” he said. Ponder said because there are two lanes already in use on Burbank, the construction of the additional lanes should have minimal impact on traffic. “When widening of the intersections at Gardere and Bluebonnet and installation of the new signals occur, lanes will be closed and local detouring will be necessary,” he said. “At this time, the city-parish has not reviewed any road closure plans from the contractor to know any specific closure details.”
—-Contact Natalie Messina at [email protected]