Mayor Broome Holds Ribbon Cutting for MOVEBR Project in North Baton Rouge

October 16, 2024

Elm Grove Garden Drive Safer, More Accessible with New Sidewalks

BATON ROUGE, LA — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome celebrated the completion of new sidewalks providing safer access to several North Baton Rouge schools and a community center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Elm Grove Garden Drive.

The Mayor was joined at the ribbon cutting by District 2 Councilwoman Chauna Banks, Ryan Elementary School Principal Shanelle Fernandez, Vernadine Mabry, Director of the City-Parish Human Development and Services (DHDS) Department that oversees the Head Start Program, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member Carla Powell-Lewis, and Fred Raiford, Director of Transportation and Drainage for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Students and teachers from Ryan Elementary School and the Progress Road Head Start Program also attended the ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the sidewalks and crosswalks along with a special appearance by the Scotlandville Magnet High School marching band under the direction of Jonas Brown.

Mayor Broome said safety was a priority with MOVEBR projects, especially projects near schools, libraries and community centers where children move around. “This is one of 60 MOVEBR projects either completed or underway in North Baton Rouge right now,” Mayor Broome said. “It was designed to make an existing street better and to serve this community in a safer manner.”

The Elm Grove Garden Drive project improves safety, pedestrian mobility and connectivity to the schools and the Jewell Newman Community Center. The project includes new ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, striped crosswalks at intersections and accommodates bus stops along the route.

Director of Transportation and Drainage Fred Raiford explained the sidewalks were built using pervious concrete which allows stormwater to flow through the concrete and help reduce stormwater impacts. The project also replaced open drainage ditches with drainage inlets and subsurface piping.

C.H.Fenstermaker and Associates were the design consultants and Triumph Construction was the contractor for the $3.7 million project.

Elm Grove Garden Drive Project Details:

  • 30 ADA compliant ramps
  • 4,600 square yards of new sidewalks
  • 1 signalized pedestrian crossing (RRFB)
  • 2 new bus stop landings
  • 1,675 square yards of repaired driveways
  • 8,900 feet of open drainage ditches converted to subsurface piping
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