As we complete the first quarter of 2022, I want to give you an update on what you can expect to see this year in the MOVEBR Program. As you will read in this newsletter, we have already held five public meetings since January to get public input on projects in the design phase.
In addition to having completed four MOVEBR projects, we have 18 projects under construction, and we will soon select design consultants for another 4-6 projects from our list of Prioritized Projects. Several other projects will move into right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation, in advance of the construction phase. You can read more about the progress we anticipate in 2022 here.
Five Public Meetings Held in First Quarter of 2022 to Get Input on Projects
A First Look at Lee Drive Improvements
Public input is an important part of building successful projects and the MOVEBR program held five public meetings during the first quarter of this year to share design studies, inform the public and gather public comments on projects throughout the parish.
On February 9, attendees had an opportunity to review the proposed improvements to the Lee Drive (Highland – Perkins) Corridor, engage with representatives of the City-Parish and the MOVEBR Program Management Team, and ask questions. You can read more here.
Public Meetings Held for Baker, North Baton Rouge and Old South Baton Rouge Projects
Four public meetings held in the first quarter were for projects aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle mobility, ADA compliance and public transit access. On January 10th, a community open house for the Elm Grove Gardens Sidewalks project was held at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center, where information on other Scotlandville area projects was provided by BREC and the Center for Planning Excellence. You can learn more about this project and read about other public meetings here.
Featured Project: Terrace Avenue Corridor Improvement (Highland Road to Perkins Road)
Complete Streets Design Will Make Terrace Avenue Safer for All Users
The MOVEBR program recently held an open house meeting at the Carver Branch Library to share designs to improve the Terrace Avenue Corridor from Highland Road to Perkins Road. The open house exhibits are now posted on the MOVEBR website, where each project has a page containing updated information.
This $7 million project incorporates Complete Streets design guidelines to enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility as well as transit and parking accommodations. Read more about the Terrace Avenue project here.
Business Resource: Capital Revolving Loan Fund
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) and TruFund Financial Services have launched the Capital Revolving Loan Fund as a resource for those businesses most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and most in need of support to recover. This initiative was presented during the MOVEBR 1st Thursday Outlook for March and you can read more about it here.
MOVEBR Program Provides Update on Signalization Projects
The MOVEBR program provided a comprehensive update to local news media on the signal improvement projects, including the installation of fiber optic cable, detection devices and cameras, and hardware and software upgrades.
Acting Chief Traffic Engineer Cyndi Pennington outlined goals for the signal improvements with the first being to provide consistent commute times for drivers to help manage their time more efficiently. You can read more about traffic signal improvements here.
Emergency Power Installation Completed for Traffic Signals on Key Corridors
The Department of Transportation and Drainage and the MOVEBR program managers recently provided a detailed update on traffic signal improvements throughout the parish.
As we move into spring and summer with a tradition of thunderstorms developing on short notice, 117 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) have been installed on signals along key corridors to keep traffic moving in the event of power outages, completing this phase of projects. You can read more and get a list of the key corridors with emergency power supplies here.
