A Message from the Mayor-President (Q3 2021)
Partnerships Mean Progress
Funding from CATS, DOTD and MOVEBR is bringing Bus Rapid Transit to Baton Rouge
The Bus Rapid Transit project, which my administration merged with two MOVEBR projects to achieve greater efficiency, took a big step forward with final acceptance by the Metro Council of a highly competitive $15 million federal grant awarded to Baton Rouge. Additional funding for this project, which was crucial to securing this grant, is provided by CATS, DOTD and the MOVEBR program. I believe partnerships bring progress and by working together, we will deliver the first bus rapid transit system in Louisiana for Baton Rouge.
This project includes the rehabilitation and resurfacing of major sections of Plank Road, 22nd Street and Florida Boulevard, as well as new sidewalks, signal improvements and amenities for the BRT system. This new high-quality, rapid transit system will include enhanced bus stops with improved lighting, fewer stops, traffic signal priority, real-time arrival information displays, improved pedestrian and bicycle connections, and other features. It will be transformational for Plank Road.
The grant is from the Federal Transit Administration’s Better Utilizing Infrastructure to Leverage Development (BUILD) program and Baton Rouge’s success was credited by federal officials because of creative partnerships and strong local matching funds.
With full funding, the BRT project will now move through design and permitting with construction expected to begin next year.
The $53.6 million BRT project was achieved through unprecedented partnerships formed to leverage local, state and federal funding to connect north and south Baton Rouge with high-frequency transit service.
To keep the public informed and provide access to up-to-date information, a website for this project was launched at www.batonrougebrt.com and can also be accessed at www.movebr.brla.gov/brt.