3 GOP hopefuls wary of loop

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Mar 4, 2008 - Page: 1B

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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.

“I see it as something way down the road,” Jenkins said.

Paul Sawyer, former Baker chief of staff, said while he backs the idea of a loop, he believes it is 10, 12 or 15 years away from becoming reality and that other road projects deserve higher priority.

Baton Rouge businesswoman Laurinda Calongne said she is concerned about the rights of property owners worried about where loop routes might go.

“We need to do this, but do it the right way,” Calongne said.

All three GOP contenders made their comments during a congressional 6th District forum sponsored by the Press Club of Baton Rouge.

The other Republican candidate, Michael Cloonan of Slaughter, was invited but did not appear, club officials said.

A top official involved in loop planning efforts later disputed some of the comments made during Monday’s forum.

Republicans and Democrats hold party primaries Saturday as elections begin to determine who will succeed Republican Baker.

If no candidate wins the party primaries Saturday, the top two vote getters square off April 5 to determine the party contender who will advance to the general election May 3.

Mayor-President Kip Holden and leaders of four other area parishes are leading efforts to build a loop to ease traffic congestion on Interstate 10 and I-12, and spur economic development.

Backers hope that tolls will take care of at least half of the $4 billion price tag. The other half, they say, will come from the state, public/private partnerships or other “innovative financing” methods.