HLS 15RS-978 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE HENSGENS
TRANSPORTATION: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to study and make recommendations relative to a hurricane evacuation
route for and economic development of a portion of Highway 35 south of Rayne to
Highway 92
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a study
3 and make recommendations relative to a hurricane evacuation route for and
4 economic development of a portion of Louisiana Highway 35, south of Rayne to
5 Louisiana Highway 92.
6 WHEREAS, the maintenance of roads and highways is of great importance to the
7state of Louisiana; and
8 WHEREAS, economic development and transportation are closely linked; and
9 WHEREAS, economic development stimulates transportation demand by increasing
10the number of workers commuting to and from work, customers traveling to and from
11service areas, and products being shipped between producers and consumers; and
12 WHEREAS, Louisiana Highway 35, south of the city of Rayne, to Louisiana
13Highway 92, is a major thoroughfare in the parishes of Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion,
14and is in need of significant maintenance and overlay; and
15 WHEREAS, Vermilion Parish sustained significant flood and wind damage from
16Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and a hurricane evacuation route is vital to emergency
17preparedness; and
18 WHEREAS, a designated hurricane evacuation route could be used to facilitate
19evacuation management on Louisiana Highway 35 south of Rayne to Louisiana Highway
2092; and
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HR NO. 112
1 WHEREAS, these improvements to the portion of Highway 35 south of Rayne to
2Highway 92 would support economic growth and hurricane evacuation and improve the
3quality of life of residents along this stretch of highway.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the Department of Transportation
6and Development conduct a study of Louisiana Highway 35, south of Rayne to Louisiana
7Highway 92, and make recommendations regarding a hurricane evacuation route and
8economic development.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study by the Department of Transportation
10and Development should consider assessments of the following: (1) all safe and practical
11modes of transportation available for evacuations, including contraflow; (2) the extent to
12which evacuation plans are coordinated with adjoining jurisdictions; (3) methods of
13communicating evacuation plans and preparing citizens in advance of evacuations; (4)
14methods of coordinating communication with evacuees during plan execution; (5) the
15availability of food, water, restrooms, fueling stations, and shelter opportunities along
16evacuation routes; (6) the time required to evacuate under the plan; and (7) methods for
17increasing economic development along the portion of Louisiana Highway 35, south of
18Rayne, Louisiana to Louisiana Highway 92.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
20Development shall make a written report to the Louisiana House of Representatives detailing
21their findings no later than January 1, 2016.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
23secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 112 Original 2015 Regular Session Hensgens
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development to conduct a study and
make recommendations relative to a hurricane evacuation route for and economic
development of La. Highway 35 south of Rayne to La. Highway 92. Requires the
department to make a written report to the La. House of Representatives no later than Jan.
1, 2016.
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