Committee recommends $800,000 in US 61 improvements

Johnny Bradberry, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, recently announced that DOTD would authorize $800,000 in improvements to US Hwy. 61 early this year, based on recommendations by the US 61 Task Force Committee.

At the request of Sen. Joel Chaisson and Rep. Gary Smith, the committee was formed to investigate two fatal crashes resulting in six deaths between I-310 and LA 48 in the spring of 2003. The committee is comprised of representatives from DOTD, the Louisiana State Police, the St. Charles Sheriff's Office, the St. Charles Parish President's Office and the Federal Highway Administration.

A public meeting was held in April at Destrehan High School to solicit comments from the community and interested parties.

The committee's recommendations are as follows:

• A public information/education campaign be developed for southern Louisiana, stressing the importance of properly using occupant restraint system and methods for escaping a submerging or submerged vehicle.
  
• Five crossovers were identified for closure, and two new crossovers were recommended.
  
• Left turn lane improvements were identified at three locations.
  
• Traffic control improvements.