MOVEBR Breaks Ground on Major Nicholson Drive Improvements

BATON ROUGE, La. — MOVEBR leaders joined the City-Parish of Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana State University, Council members Gaudet, Coleman and Racca, design consultants Forte & Tablada, the MOVEBR Program Management Team and community stakeholders yesterday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the MOVEBR Nicholson Drive Segment 1 (Brightside Drive to Gourrier Avenue) New Infrastructure Project. This ceremony officially marked the start of construction on a transformational investment that will improve safety, mobility and connectivity along one of Baton Rouge's busiest transportation corridors. 

Nicholson Drive serves thousands of motorists each day, including residents, commuters and business travelers, as well as university students, staff and visitors. Once complete, the project will improve traffic operations, increase safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and enhance access throughout the area while helping reduce the congestion that has historically affected the corridor during major events.

This is what smart infrastructure is all about - improving quality of life, supporting economic opportunity, and building a stronger, better-connected Baton Rouge for the future, said Mayor-President Sid Edwards.

The approximately $28 million project includes widening Nicholson Drive from two lanes to four lanes, constructing a median with U-turns and bulb-outs, and adding bicycle lanes within the road on both sides of the roadway and a side path for bi-directional pedestrian traffic on the roadside opposite of the railroad track. These improvements are designed to create a safer, more efficient corridor while supporting continued growth in this area.

Throughout the planning and design process, MOVEBR has worked closely with officials from the City-Parish as well as leadership from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to advance this project that balances regional mobility needs with improved access to surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and campus. 

LSU President Dr. Wade Rousse highlighted the importance of the partnership between the university and the City-Parish. "Projects like this require patience, planning, and trust. They also require partners who are willing to work together to solve challenges that no single organization can solve alone. LSU is proud to be one of those partners. We look forward to seeing this project completed and to the lasting impact it will have on our students, our campus, and the entire Baton Rouge community."

The project is expected to deliver lasting benefits for the community by:

• Increasing roadway capacity to better serve growing traffic demands in the area.
• Creating safer accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Improving access to sports facilities, student housing and campus amenities.
• Enhancing traffic flow and reducing turning conflicts through the addition of a median and U-turns and bulb-outs.

LADOTD District 61 Engineer Administrator Joshua Stutes added "the project incorporates updated drainage infrastructure, utility coordination, and other improvements that help ensure this corridor serves the community well for decades to come."

Construction is anticipated to continue over the next 4-5 years and include clearing and grubbing, utility relocation and roadway construction. The Nicholson Drive Segment 1 Project is one of many infrastructure improvements funded through the MOVEBR Program, which is delivering transportation investments across East Baton Rouge Parish to improve safety, mobility and quality of life.

To learn more about this project, visit here.