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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 35
BY SENATOR BROWN
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the
feasibility and costs of providing adequate lighting and needed maintenance to
bridges on the state highway system over the Mississippi River and the grounds on
which such bridges sit.
WHEREAS, R. S. 33:3659 entitled "Municipality to operate lighting systems;
financial aid; special tax", provides that after a system has been completed and accepted, the
full ownership of it shall vest in the municipality except when installed on a one-time rental
or lease basis; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 48:193 prohibits the department from maintaining street lighting;
and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Development adopted its policy
entitled "A Guide to Constructing, Operating, and Maintaining Highway Lighting Systems"
dated October 15, 1989, and revised January 10, 2006; and
WHEREAS, such policy states that fixed lighting on state highways is not provided
because fixed lighting is not essential for safety and unlighted roads are considered safe for
travel since roadway design features including geometry and speed limits are set
independently of fixed roadway lighting, all vehicles traveling on public roads are required
to have headlights, and operators are required to adjust their driving for existing local
conditions; and
WHEREAS, such policy further provides that on "structures (bridges, etc.) in urban
areas, the department will provide the necessary prerequisites (mounting bracket and anchor
bolts for light poles) as part of the structure"; and
WHEREAS, such policy further provides that "local political subdivisions may at
their own expense, provide roadway lighting on state highway rights-of-way, provided a
DOTD permit is obtained prior to installing any equipment"; and SCR NO. 35 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, such permit requires a local political subdivision to comply with the
department's "Standards Manual for Accommodating Utilities, Driveways and other
Facilities on Highways Rights-of-Way" and specifically with such manual's section titled
"Requirements for Street Lighting Facilities on State Highways"; and
WHEREAS, such policy requires a local governing authority to execute the
department's standard agreement for "Roadway Lighting" and to agree to assume the
operation and maintenance costs of highway lighting which includes all costs associated with
monitoring, inspection, repairs, and energy; and
WHEREAS, bridges on the state highway system which cross the Mississippi River
in Louisiana provide vital transportation links to Louisiana's citizens, visitors, and
businesses.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the feasibility
and costs of providing lighting and needed maintenance on bridges on the state highway
system 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES