ASCENSION PARISH, LA. (BRPROUD) — On Tuesday evening, Ascension Parish Government officials and LADOTD hosted a public meeting on three upcoming roundabouts coming to the parish.
The Ascension Parish Government and LADOTD housed a public meeting for proposed intersection improvements at the intersections of LA 621 at Roddy Road, LA 931 at Roddy Road/ Joe Sevario Road, and LA 933 at Joe Sevario Road.
State Representative Kathy Edmonston lives between two of the roundabout spots. She says she’s for building the roundabouts, especially with parish growth and schools.
“We do have issues with traffic as you know in this parish,” says Edmonston. “Our growth needs to be smart, so I think roundabouts are in general a good thing.”
Ascension Parish Chief Transportation Engineer Daniel Helms says these roundabouts are part of the MOVE Ascension program. Potentially, having a hefty price of around $1.5 to $2.5 million.
Helms mentions in the planning process, that building the roundabouts can be cost effective for the residents and elected officials to use funds on the parish.
“A traffic signal has a maintenance cost to it, as well as an electrical cost to it.” says Helms. “We no longer have to pay those costs, as far as road user cost, they no longer stop, they no longer idling their vehicles are acting more efficiently so it is cost saving to the user.”
Helms says the goal is to eliminate traffic lights and four-way stops and create more roundabouts.
“That’s what we would like to see,” says Helms. “Because that allows for the smooth movement of traffic.”
Construction could start end of 2024 or the beginning of the following year.
