Friday, May 9, 2008

• E-mail Alerts
• |
• Text Alerts
• |
• Feeds
• |
• Make us your home page

2008-03-12
	Martinez foresees toll road working GONZALES — Last week, Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez doubted the chances of a highway loop being built around Baton Rouge, but that was before he attended two days of briefings on toll roads in Texas.
	Letter: Loop has become emotional issue The loop project has degenerated from an engineering study to a platform for special-interest groups and, worse, has become an emotional issue with battle lines drawn in the sand.
2008-03-11
	Walker: Move BR loop WALKER — The Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a resolution Monday night asking planners of the proposed Baton Rouge Loop to not place the toll route through the town limits. The resolution came as more than 70 residents attended a meeting where mostly town residents expressed concerns for an hour about the proposed route for the loop.
	Letter: Forget loop; upgrade existing roads Loop, loop, loop. I’m sick of hearing about it. Now my mayor and others have traveled to Texas to eye Texas loops. The first thing the Baton Rouge entourage will have found out is that Texas, namely Harris County, where I lived for more than nine years, does not wait for an area to become populated and then disrupt thousands of citizens to build a road.
2008-03-10
	Letter: Who is going to benefit from loop? For years we have heard that Baton Rouge needs a loop. Now that the finalization of a plan has drawn near, one has to wonder who this is going to benefit.
2008-03-08
	Meetings to report on progress of toll loop LAFAYETTE — Three meetings are scheduled for next week to inform the public about progress on the proposed toll loop around Lafayette Parish. The Lafayette Regional Expressway — estimated to cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars by the time it’s built— is still in the planning process.
	Toll road saves time AUSTIN — Before this city’s bypass opened in late 2006, a trip from Georgetown north of Austin to the airport took about two hours during rush hour. Motorists who take Austin’s new toll-supported bypass can make the same trip in 22 minutes, according to HNTB Vice President Richard Ridings. “It’s the most congested stretch of I-35 in the country,” Ridings told a contingent led by Baton Rouge officials who are looking to build a toll-supported loop.
2008-03-07
	Delegation visits toll sites in Texas DALLAS — Officials from this area’s toll authority said Thursday they were surprised to hear the proposed Baton Rouge loop is running into resistance from people who own land under consideration for the proposed $4-billion expressway.
	Letter: Proposals for loop are infuriating I was born in Plaquemine, and even though my family moved to Baton Rouge when I started school, I CHOSE to return to West Baton Rouge Parish because I liked the small town feel, yet was close enough to Baton Rouge.
2008-03-04
	3 GOP hopefuls wary of loop Three Republican candidates trying to succeed former U.S. Rep. Richard Baker downplayed the urgency Monday of building a $4 billion loop around Baton Rouge. Former state lawmaker Woody Jenkins said he is skeptical about the project.
	Bridge prospect excites Iberville PLAQUEMINE — White Castle residents Luke Babin and E.L. Gueho were among the early arrivals Monday for the Iberville Parish scoping hearing on the proposed Baton Rouge Loop, and were philosophical about the plans for a super highway. “Everybody’s concerned about the traffic,” Babin said, “but no one wants something this big in their back yard.”
	Letter: Loop wanted, but not close to home For as long as I can remember, the discussion of a loop has been going on. People continually have been arguing that a city of Baton Rouge’s size should have begun the process of building a loop years before. Always at the top of the list of complaints was our elected officials being inept, crooked, not having enough vision for our future etc.
2008-03-03
	Loop stirs protest in Prairieville PRAIRIEVILLE — More than 100 residents in this Ascension Parish town rallied Sunday against a route of the proposed Baton Rouge Loop that would cut through their neighborhood. One proposed route near Jefferson Highway and La. 42 would eliminate at least 50 houses in Jefferson Crossing subdivision and a former home of Robert Penn Warren, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
	BR group to eye Texas loops Mayor-President Kip Holden and three neighboring parish presidents are slated to travel to Texas this week to get a firsthand look at how tolls and public-private partnerships can help to build the proposed $4-billion Baton Rouge Loop.
	Letter: Loop opposition strong in Central
2008-02-29
	WBR area protests loop plan PORT ALLEN — The doors were opening Thursday afternoon to enable the West Baton Rouge Parish Public Scoping Meeting and Open House on the Baton Rouge Loop to get under way. David Barber, of the Antonio community near Brusly, was in no hurry to go inside the Community Center in Port Allen.
2008-02-28
	Livingston residents divided on loop effects DENHAM SPRINGS — Livingston Parish residents expressed strong, divergent opinions during a public meeting on the Baton Rouge Loop project Wednesday. Some see the proposed project as a blessing in reducing traffic congestion and spurring economic growth. Others object to possible routes that could affect their homes or businesses. The 90- to 100-mile loop, expected to cost about $4 billion and take eight to 10 years to build, is being designed to ease traffic congestion on Interstates 10 and 12 through Baton Rouge and adjacent parishes, while opening potential new areas to economic and residential development.
2008-02-27
	Residents reject loop plans GONZALES — Hundreds of Ascension Parish residents attended an information session on the proposed Baton Rouge Loop on Tuesday, and many of them recognized the need for improved traffic flow. However, in many cases, they expressed the “not in my backyard” syndrome. “I believe it needs to be built. I just hope the best route is not by my house,” said Darnell Martinez, a real estate agent who is a former parish councilman.
	Letter: Central urged to oppose loop route The promoters of the Baton Rouge loop seem to be absolutely obsessed with cutting Central in half. They conveniently avoid having their look-see meetings in the vicinity of the Central area for fear of huge crowds opposing their scheme. Central Mayor Mac Watts has called it a Berlin Wall through Central.
2008-02-26
	Central residents object to part of proposed loop CENTRAL — City residents turned out Monday to register their opposition to having the northern leg of the proposed Baton Rouge loop run through their community. “If you want a loop, you need to put it in the country, not in the city,” said Adam Loup, pointing to one of the large maps on display at Monday’s public hearing.
2008-02-23
	Environmentalists: Loop would hurt Environmentalists contend that two southern routes under consideration as part of the Baton Rouge Loop would damage Spanish Lake and Bluff Swamp, “the last stronghold of nature in the area.” Dean Wilson, a founder of the Save Our Cypress Coalition, said in opposing the routes, “The ecosystem would be greatly affected” if the loop were to cut through the Spanish Lake Basin.
2008-02-22
	Planners pare BR loop routes Engineering consultants on Thursday unveiled new plans for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop that eliminate several potential corridors, including a northern route between Baker and Zachary, and a southern route through Alligator Bayou in Ascension Parish.
	Hopefuls question feasibility of BR loop PRAIRIEVILLE — Three Republican candidates for Congress questioned the feasibility of a proposed loop around Baton Rouge on Thursday, favoring other local transportation projects, while vying for the support of about 60 area residents lunching at Frank’s Restaurant.
2008-02-18
	BR loop project open houses planned Another round of sessions for the public to learn more about the proposed Baton Rouge loop will be conducted in the coming weeks.
2008-02-14
	State of Parish talk links I-49, loop plan LAFAYETTE — City-Parish President Joey Durel on Tuesday made a settlement offer in a long-standing lawsuit involving fire and police pay, proposed placing parks and recreation under a separate, independently funded commission and announced his intention to combine the Interstate 49 project and a proposed toll loop into one project.
2008-02-11
	Letter: Loop would destroy Alligator Bayou The proposed Baton Rouge loop will destroy the Alligator Bayou and Bluff Swamp Wildlife reserve. If you compare the map at http://www.brloop.com and the map at http://www.alligatorbayou.com, you can see that the northernmost route of the proposed BR loop will obliterate everything at Alligator Bayou, including the swamp tours, the ’gator pits, the pavilion and everything else.
2008-02-01
	Martinez battles fears about loop GONZALES — Concerns about the proposed traffic loop around Baton Rouge going through precious wetlands and historic sites are premature, Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez said Thursday.
2008-01-30
	Financing options called vital for loop A heavy dose of tolls and innovative financing are among the keys to making a $4 billion loop around Baton Rouge a reality, officials said Tuesday. How to pay for the project was one of the topics during a 75-minute briefing for state and other elected officials at the Old State Capitol.
2008-01-18
	2 Livingston routes cut from loop Consultants for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop on Thursday unveiled revised plans that eliminate any possible routes that would have cut through French Settlement and Port Vincent and announced plans for more public input meetings.
2008-01-17
	Some BR Loop routes cut; more public meetings planned Consultants for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop today unveiled revised plans that eliminate any possible routes that would have cut through French Settlement and Port Vincent and announced plans for more public input meetings.
2008-01-09
	Letter: Fixing traffic problem without loop Re: Letter from Charles W. Hair, “BR needs bold traffic planning,” The Advocate, Dec. 27. Mr. Hair hit it right on the nose. I had trouble getting a dead-end street opened several years ago, and if it had not been for Mayor-President Woody Dumas, it would still not be open.
2007-12-19
	New WBR council members learn about duties, problems PORT ALLEN — The six new members of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council won’t be sworn in until Jan. 14, but all of them showed up in the council meeting room at noon Tuesday to learn about the job they will be taking on. All three carryover members also were present as Parish President Riley “Peewee” Berthelot arranged for a light lunch and then started dispensing information.
2007-12-14
	Three possible bypass routes trimmed Engineers designing a possible $4 billion Baton Rouge area loop eliminated three more potential southern routes Thursday, noting that the corridors ran too far south to attract toll-paying motorists. All three of the eliminated routes crossed the Mississippi River south of White Castle, and didn’t have the projected traffic counts needed to justify further analysis, according to Mike Bruce, managing principal of ABMB Engineers.
2007-12-12
	Aid for toll road project sought LAFAYETTE — Members of the Lafayette Expressway Commission said Tuesday they plan to ask the Legislature for help with building an estimated $800 million toll road. The proposed loop around Lafayette Parish is one of several “megaprojects” across the state identified for funding through the Louisiana Mobility Fund.
2007-11-16
	Engineers trim proposed routes for BR loop Engineers for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop unveiled a new map Thursday that eliminates possible routes running through the Livingston Parish communities of Port Vincent and French Settlement. “We have both refined and moved these routes to eliminate any direct impact to either one of those communities,” said Mike Bruce, managing principal of ABMB Engineers.
	Letter: Junk loop, return to drawing board Baton Rouge is a growing city with a growing traffic problem. Parish leaders have begun to implement a plan that they feel will help: a loop around the city.
2007-11-15
	Some proposed BR Loop routes eliminated Engineers for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop today unveiled a new map eliminating possible routes that would directly impact the Livingston Parish communities of Port Vincent and French Settlement. Also eliminated are two of the 12 potential Mississippi River crossings and several possible routes in Ascension Parish north and east of Gonzales, where engineers say development is so heavy that it would make the project cost-prohibitive.
2007-11-14
	Denham Springs gets 11 acres for park DENHAM SPRINGS — The city received 11 acres for a walking park from BP America Production Co. ON Tuesday. The City Council also received a progress report on the restoration of Old City Hall.
2007-10-08
	Letter: Bridge proposed as loop alternative The suggestion in the letter by J.A. Sotile, White Castle, (The Advocate Oct. 2) to stagger work hours to ease traffic is a good idea. I go to work at l0 a.m. and quit at noon, so I am in compliance.
2007-10-02
	Letter: Stagger work hours to ease traffic Several articles have been published concerning the loop around Baton Rouge. It is predicted that this project will take about 10 years to complete.
2007-09-29
	Our Views: Political will key to traffic One major obstacle to improving traffic in Baton Rouge almost certainly would be a shortage of political will. A traffic loop around Baton Rouge, assuming one is practical and beneficial, could become reality only if public officials are willing to make some people angry.
2007-09-22
	Not all residents happy with loop idea Many commuters may be excited to hear a loop is coming, but not everyone is pleased. Some folks in Central weren't too happy to find the loop may be in their backyards, and as a result some anti-loop sentiment is building.
2007-09-19
	Loop meeting called lacking by residents Residents in northern East Baton Rouge Parish packed a community meeting Tuesday night to discuss a proposed traffic loop route, but several said they left feeling unenlightened. “It wasn’t as informative as it should have been,” said Rebecca Austin after hearing a 15-minute presentation on the coalition working to build a toll loop around Baton Rouge.
2007-09-18
	Letter: Baton Rouge loop not the answer Let’s get real about a BR Loop. From simple observation of the Baton Rouge interstate traffic, a loop is not what is needed. We have too much suburban traffic trying to get downtown at rush hour.
2007-09-17
	Letter: Double-deck Interstate through BR Re: BR loop. Would it be possible, instead of spending countless millions/billions, to redo what has already been done? By that, I mean expand what is already here. As I understand it, the purpose of any loop around Baton Rouge is to decrease the traffic on our Interstate system.
2007-09-14
	BR loop routes confuse some GONZALES — Many Ascension Parish residents attending Thursday evening’s Baton Rouge Loop open house said they were overwhelmed by a spiderweb of possible new traffic corridors and routes put on display by project planners.
2007-09-13
	Residents check out loop plan ADDIS — Residents of West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes glimpsed the proposed Baton Rouge Loop routes Wednesday as the traveling community outreach meetings arrived in the town’s community center. The Addis meeting attracted more than 200 people.
2007-09-12
	Residents divided on loop LIVINGSTON — More than 300 area residents peered at maps Tuesday night, mainly trying to determine where their homes sit among spaghetti-like corridors that comprise possible loops around Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Walker and other municipalities. “I don’t think it’s going to bother me,” said Ramsey Huffman of Walker. “I’ll be glad when they start the bulldozers.” “It would be through the middle of my house,” said Emily Dawse, who lives north of Denham Springs.
	Our Views: Regional view vital to loop When one says “Baton Rouge,” what does one mean? One could mean the old city limits of Baton Rouge, but since 1950 a city-parish form of government has eroded the importance of those lines.
2007-09-11
	EBR loop route criticized Residents of the Hoo Shoo Too Road area turned out in force Monday to oppose the possibility of the proposed Baton Rouge Loop coming through their southeast Baton Rouge neighborhood. “We’re environmentalists. That’s why we live out there,” Michael Thibodeaux said. Thibodeaux said the Hoo Shoo Too Road area is a haven for wildlife as well as an area of historical significance.
2007-09-09
	Public to get say on loop French Settlement Mayor Toni Guitran supports the idea of building a highway loop around Baton Rouge to relieve traffic, but doesn’t want it running through her village. “It would destroy us. Our village is only 2,000 feet wide,” Guitran explained.
2007-09-05
	Letter: Include 18-wheelers in loop plan Each article I read about the proposed north loop around Baton Rouge raises my hopes that this will become a reality. But everything I read is missing one critical element, and that is a provision that all 18-wheel vehicles will be required to use this loop.
2007-08-31
	Letter: Loop, transportation, smart growth As a young professional and concerned citizen, I am afraid that the proposed loop will not benefit our city as planned, but will create more gridlock, and more interstate interchanges with uninspired strip malls. Many citizens support it because they are fed up with our traffic problems, and they think any change is good change.
2007-08-22
	Baker: Step up pace on loop plans Baton Rouge can build a traffic loop talked about for generations — one that currently carries a $4 billion price tag — but user fees, innovative federal financing and private design and construction must be part of the picture, U.S. Rep. Richard Baker told a Baton Rouge smart growth summit Tuesday.
2007-08-21
	Loop Web site allows residents’ input Consultants hired to find a corridor for a Baton Rouge loop unveiled a Web site Monday aimed at keeping the public informed about the project.
2007-08-13
	Our Views: Big concerns around a loop Mayor-President Kip Holden has banned a dirty five-letter word from the discussion of an interstate loop around Baton Rouge. “This is not another study,” Holden told the City Club recently. “Let me repeat that: This is not another study.”
2007-08-10
	Map outlines loop corridors Consultants unveiled a map Thursday showing several possible corridors for the proposed $4 billion Baton Rouge loop, stretching from the Sunshine Bridge (La. 70) to the south to a possible corridor between Baker and Zachary to the north. At this point, engineers are studying the potential corridors — which range from 1,000 feet to 4,000 feet in width — to determine whether they will affect wetlands, state and federal lands, churches, schools and cemeteries, said consulting engineer Mike Bruce of ABMB Engineers.
2007-07-28
	Letter: Do we really need loop for BR? Is the loop what we need? There has been much talk lately about a new interstate loop that will ease our traffic woes. I write this letter to ask one question, is the loop what we really need?
2007-06-05
	Loop project moves forward A long-planned traffic loop around Baton Rouge is closer to being built. Leaders from five parishes met recently to talk about how the project would be implemented.
2007-02-02
	Area residents sound off about proposed loop Mayor Kip Holden says building a loop around Baton Rouge will reduce traffic, and many in Baton Rouge sound interested in the idea. But what about those outside the city?

 

Archives

Only staff-produced articles and videos are archived in the Online search. WBRZ videos can be found on the Video page.

As a courtesy to our users, we maintain an Online Daily Archive of all site content from the past 7 days.

The Advocate also maintains a Newspaper Archive.

Site Information

Check out our site blog for the latest news on updates and changes to 2theadvocate.com.

Curious about how the site works or what content we can provide to you? Check our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Get a detailed listing of all of the site's section with our site map.

Advertising

Have a look at our media kit for online and offline advertising opportunities.

Subscribe

Subscribe to 2theadvocate.com with any of the feeds on our Feeds page.

Click here to subscribe to The Advocate.

Legal

Copyright © 1992-2008, Louisiana Broadcasting LLC and Capital City Press LLC • 7290 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • All Rights Reserved

No unauthorized use is permitted of content produced by The Advocate, WBRZ, 2theadvocate.com or any other publication or media owned by Louisiana Broadcasting LLC and Capital City Press LLC. Unauthorized use includes framing and direct posting of content on websites other than www.2theadvocate.com.

• Your Name:
• Your City:

• Email address:
• Phone number:

• Your message:

• I'd like to receive a response