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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 35
BY SENATOR BROWN
ROADS/HIGHWAYS. Requests DOTD study the feasibility and costs to provide adequate
lighting and needed maintenance on bridges on the state highway system over the
Mississippi River.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the2
feasibility and costs of providing adequate lighting and needed maintenance to3
bridges on the state highway system over the Mississippi River and the grounds on4
which such bridges sit.5
WHEREAS, R. S. 33:3659 entitled "Municipality to operate lighting systems;6
financial aid; special tax," provides that after a system has been completed and accepted, the7
full ownership of it shall vest in the municipality except when installed on a one-time rental8
or lease basis; and9
WHEREAS, R.S. 48:193 prohibits the department from maintaining street lighting;10
and11
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Development adopted its policy12
entitled "A Guide to Constructing, Operating, and Maintaining Highway Lighting Systems"13
dated October 15, 1989, and Revised January 10, 2006; and14
WHEREAS, such policy states that fixed lighting on state highways is not provided15
because fixed lighting is not essential for safety and unlighted roads are considered safe for16
travel since roadway design features including geometry and speed limits are set17
independently of fixed roadway lighting, all vehicles traveling on public roads are required18 SCR NO. 35
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to have headlights, and operators are required to adjust their driving for existing local1
conditions; and2
WHEREAS, such policy further provides that on "structures (bridges, etc.) in urban3
areas, the department will provide the necessary prerequisites (mounting bracket and anchor4
bolts for light poles) as part of the structure"; and5
WHEREAS, such policy further provides that "local political subdivisions may at6
their own expense, provide roadway lighting on state highway rights-of-way, provided a7
DOTD permit is obtained prior to installing any equipment"; and8
WHEREAS, such permit requires a local political subdivision to comply with the9
department's "Standards Manual for Accommodating Utilities, Driveways and other10
Facilities on Highways Rights-of-Way" and specifically with such manual's section titled11
"Requirements for Street Lighting Facilities on State Highways"; and12
WHEREAS, such policy requires a local governing authority to execute the13
department's standard agreement for "Roadway Lighting" and to agree to assume the14
operation and maintenance costs of highway lighting which includes all costs associated with15
monitoring, inspection, repairs, and energy; and16
WHEREAS, bridges on the state highway system which cross the Mississippi River17
in Louisiana provide vital transportation links to Louisiana's citizens, visitors, and18
businesses.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby20
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the feasibility21
and costs of providing lighting and needed maintenance on bridges on the state highway22
system over the Mississippi River and the grounds on which such bridges sit, and to report23
its findings and recommendations in a written report to the Senate Committee on24
Transportation, Highways, and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation,25
Highways, and Public Works not later than March 1, 2013.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the27
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.28 SCR NO. 35
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sharon F. Lyles.
DIGEST
Brown SCR No.
Requests DOTD study the feasibility and costs of providing lighting and needed
maintenance on bridges over the Mississippi River and the grounds on which such bridges
sit, and to report its findings and recommendations in a written report to the Senate
Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works and the House Committee on
Transportation, Highways, and Public Works not later than March 1, 2013.