HLS 15RS-853 ORIGINAL 2015 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 125 BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP TRANSPORTATION: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development to create alternative truck routes in New Orleans 1 A RESOLUTION 2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to create alternative 3 truck routes in certain areas in New Orleans. 4 WHEREAS, Caffin Avenue and the surrounding area in New Orleans has seen a 5resurgence as an attractive thoroughfare with schools, community centers, and residential 6homes; and 7 WHEREAS, with this resurgence comes more pedestrians and visitors along the 8streets in this area; and 9 WHEREAS, a portion of Caffin Avenue and the surrounding area in New Orleans 10is designated as a part of an official truck route which allows commercial trucks to travel 11directly through the area; and 12 WHEREAS, this designated truck route is heavily traveled and congested with 13commercial trucks and has been and continues to be dangerous for the citizens of the city 14of New Orleans; and 15 WHEREAS, truck drivers have been deviating from the designated truck route into 16the surrounding areas beyond Caffin Avenue; and 17 WHEREAS, the streets in this area are also heavily traveled by trucks going to and 18from industrial sites within and around the area; and 19 WHEREAS, community leaders are searching for a way in which industry, residents, 20and visitors to the area can safely travel within the area; and Page 1 of 2 HLS 15RS-853 ORIGINAL HR NO. 125 1 WHEREAS, this area is highly populated with residential homes, elderly homes, 2schools, and newly constructed buildings; and 3 WHEREAS, in most cases these trucks are transporting goods and supplies and 4heavy equipment causing deterioration of the roadway; and 5 WHEREAS, the vibration, noise, and air pollution from commercial trucks destroy 6the peaceful enjoyment of residents' neighborhoods and also endangers the lives and health 7of the citizens; and 8 WHEREAS, the redesignation is appropriate and desirable to protect citizens, school 9children, elderly residents, and to preserve the newly constructed buildings in this area. 10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 11urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to work in consultation 12with local governing authorities, including but not limited to the Regional Planning 13Commission, Orleans Parish, St. Bernard Parish, the Port of New Orleans, the St. Bernard 14Port, Harbor and Terminal District, representatives of the trucking industry, transportation, 15and bicycle safety organizations, as well as environmental and neighborhood advocates to 16examine existing traffic patterns and consider alternative state or local routes, or both, for 17trucks traveling to and from ports and industrial locations within Orleans Parish or St. 18Bernard Parish, or both, along Interstate 10 that would have the effect of reducing or 19eliminating such traffic on Caffin Avenue and the surrounding area. 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 21secretary 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 125 Original 2015 Regular Session Wesley Bishop Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development to create alternative truck routes in certain areas in New Orleans. Page 2 of 2