Mayor Broome Kicks Off MOVEBR Program With Overflow Crowd

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome officially kicked off the MOVEBR Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements Program on September 23rd at the McKay Automotive Technology Center on the Ardendale Campus of the Baton Rouge Community College.

An overflow crowd gathered to hear about the more than 70 projects that will construct new roads and sidewalks, improve existing corridors and manage traffic signals throughout East Baton Rouge Parish.

“This program will address long overdue congestion issues throughout our City-Parish while making our streets safer and more pedestrian and bicyclist friendly,” Mayor Broome said. “We are building for the future to ensure our local economy stays strong and improve the quality of life for all of our residents.”

Mayor Broome stated the program team, led by Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Kelvin Hill and Director of Transportation and Drainage Fred Raiford, has been working since July, with broad outreach to local advocacy groups through Prioritization and Design workgroups, to get the program ready to launch.

She pointed to the following items residents can expect to see:

  • A new website: movebr.brla.gov, launched at the kick-off, allows residents to sign up to receive updates, follow the progress of the program and link to updated information on social media. MOVEBR program information will be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @movebrla. The website will develop into the primary resource for program information, with project maps linked to the City-Parish GIS platform and a tracker to view the status of projects.
  • Project Prioritization: A broad group of community stakeholders began meeting in late August 2019 and completed the prioritization process this month.
  • Small Business Outreach: Local small business owners, including minority, women and veteran-owned businesses, are regularly provided information on opportunities to conduct business with the MOVEBR program. The first MOVEBR Small Business Outreach Workshop was held on October 3rd and the Mayor encourages small business owners to sign up here for more information on future opportunities to participate.
  • Complete Streets Coordination: Working with stakeholder groups that advocate for green infrastructure, ADA compliance, and greater mobility, the MOVEBR team is establishing guidelines and standards for projects to incorporate best practices.

Those attending the kick-off were able to view maps showing the projects’ locations and engage with the program management team. Many signed up to follow the program from their phones or at computer stations staffed by the MOVEBR program team.