ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE HENSGENS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a study
and make recommendations relative to a hurricane evacuation route for and
economic development of a portion of Louisiana Highway 35, south of Rayne to
Louisiana Highway 92.
WHEREAS, the maintenance of roads and highways is of great importance to the
state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, economic development and transportation are closely linked; and
WHEREAS, economic development stimulates transportation demand by increasing
the number of workers commuting to and from work, customers traveling to and from
service areas, and products being shipped between producers and consumers; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana Highway 35, south of the city of Rayne, to Louisiana
Highway 92, is a major thoroughfare in the parishes of Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion,
and is in need of significant maintenance and overlay; and
WHEREAS, Vermilion Parish sustained significant flood and wind damage from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and a hurricane evacuation route is vital to emergency
preparedness; and
WHEREAS, a designated hurricane evacuation route could be used to facilitate
evacuation management on Louisiana Highway 35 south of Rayne to Louisiana Highway
92; and
WHEREAS, these improvements to the portion of Highway 35 south of Rayne to
Highway 92 would support economic growth and hurricane evacuation and improve the
quality of life of residents along this stretch of highway.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the Department of Transportation
and Development conduct a study of Louisiana Highway 35, south of Rayne to Louisiana
Highway 92, and make recommendations regarding a hurricane evacuation route and
economic development.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study by the Department of Transportation
and Development should consider assessments of the following: (1) all safe and practical
modes of transportation available for evacuations, including contraflow; (2) the extent to
which evacuation plans are coordinated with adjoining jurisdictions; (3) methods of
communicating evacuation plans and preparing citizens in advance of evacuations; (4)
methods of coordinating communication with evacuees during plan execution; (5) the
availability of food, water, restrooms, fueling stations, and shelter opportunities along
evacuation routes; (6) the time required to evacuate under the plan; and (7) methods for
increasing economic development along the portion of Louisiana Highway 35, south of
Rayne, Louisiana to Louisiana Highway 92.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
Development shall make a written report to the Louisiana House of Representatives detailing
their findings no later than January 1, 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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