Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) personnel said the recent completion of the Brightside Intersection Improvement Project addressed a necessity for the highly congested area.
DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson joined state and local officials in celebrating the project’s completion at LA 30 and Brightside Lane/Lee Drive in East Baton Rouge Parish.
“Businesses and motorists alike will enjoy the easier access to the surrounding areas and will see a decrease in traffic congestion along this intersection due to the new dedicated turn lanes,” Wilson said. “Safety is always our top priority, and this project will deliver just that.”
The $9.05 million project’s scope of work involved making intersection improvements to LA 30 at its intersection with Brightside Lane and Lee Drive by widening the intersection approaches to include new dedicated left turn lanes and two thru lanes in each direction, officials said, in addition to raising the grade of the intersection to reduce the abrupt incline leading to the railroad crossing on Brightside.
Additionally, the effort replaced the LA 30 bridge with a concrete box culvert, provided drainage improvements, and increased pedestrian and bicyclist access with additional sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and bike lanes.
“I would like to thank Gov. Edwards and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson for their continued commitment to building efficient and modern transportation systems in the Capitol Region and all over the state,” East Baton Rouge Mayor – President Sharon Weston Broome said. “It is important for cities, and parishes, to work collaboratively with the Governor and DOTD to promote infrastructure projects like these that connect our families and economies. Traffic congestion often slows down this essential function, and projects like this one are a key step in increasing capacity and allowing goods and services to flow freely and safely throughout our communities.”